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MARY 


Missionary 


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FOR  THK  USB  OF  (     -<5^ 


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SUNDAY-SCHOOLS  AND  MISSIoV=frAJfm'-^ 


CONSISTING  OF 


RESPONSIVE  READINGS,  DIALOGUES,  SELECTIONS 
IN  PROSE  AND  POETRY,  Etc. 


ARKANQED  BY 


THE  WOMAN'S  FOEEIGN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY  OF 
THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 


PHILADELPHIA 
PRESBYTERIAN   BOARD  OF  PUBJJCATION 

No.  l."^.M   CHESTNUT  STREET 


COPYRIGHT,  1882.  BY 

THE  TRUSTEES  OP  THE 

PRESBYTERIAN   BOARD    OF   PUBLICATION. 


ALL  BIOHTS   BXSEBVBD. 


BV  2570^  .P.724  1882 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the 

U.S.A.  Woman's  Foreign 
Missionary  exercises  for  the 

use  of  Sunday-schools  and 


Westcott  a  Thomson, 
Slereotypers  and  lUlectroli/pers,  Philada. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

Responsive  Readings 5 

Illustrative  Band-Meeting 32 

List  of  Subjects  for  Meetings 36 

Missionary  Map-Making 40 

Illustrations  for  Item-Gatherers 44 

Dialogues  and  ExERCisEr  in  Prose  -kVo  Poetry  ...  ,.  48 

Poems  for  Recitation  op  ofNOiNG 138 


LiDi'\j-tt\f     iwi'     i"  i\i; 


-i   *.^  b.   1    'V>  t  \ 


THEOLOGICAL  SEM'^"^^' 


MISSIONARY  EXERCISES. 


RESPONSIVE  READINGS. 


No.  1.  RESPONSIVE  BIBLE-READING. 

Leader. — Sing  praises  to  God,  sing  praises;  sing 
praises  unto  our  King,  sing  praises. 

Band. — For  God  is  the  King  of  all  the  earth,  sing 
ye  praises  with  understanding. 

L. — God  reigneth  over  the  heathen.  God  sitteth 
upon  the  throne  of  his  holiness. 

B. — God  be  merciful  unto  us,  and  bless  us;  and 
cause  his  face  to  shine  upon  us. 

L. — That  thy  way  may  be  known  upon  earth ;  thy 
saving  health  among  all  nations. 

B. — Let  the  people  praise  thee,  0  God,  let  all  the 
people  praise  thee. 

L. — Let  all  the  nations  be  glad  and  sing  for  joy ; 
for  thou  shalt  judge  the  people  righteously,  and  gov- 
ern the  nations  upon  earth. 

B. — That  all  the  people  of  the  earth  may  know  that 
the  Lord  is  God,  and  there  is  none  else. 

L. — Then  shall  the  earth  yield  her  increase,  and 
God,  even  our  own  God,  shall  bless  us. 

B. — God  shall  bless  us,  and  all  the  ends  of  the  earth 
shall  fear  him. 

L. — Be  still,  and  know  that  I  am  God  ;  I  will  be 

6 


6  MISSIONARY   EXERCISES. 

exalted  among  the  heathen,  I  will  be  exalted  in  the 
earth. 

B. — Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel 
to  every  creature. 

All. — Lo,  I  am  with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of 
the  world. 


No.  2.  MISSION-WORK  IN  THE  BIBLE. 

COMMANDS. 

[These  texts  are  to  be  recited  by  the  classes  in  order,  or  read 
alternately  by  tlie  leader  and  the  school.] 

Therefore  said  he  unto  them,  The  harvest  truly 
is  great,  but  the  laborers  are  few :  pray  ye  therefore 
the  Lord  of  the  harvest,  that  he  would  send  forth 
laborers  into  his  harvest.    Luke  10  :  2. 

In  the  morning  sow  thy  seed,  and  in  the  evening 
withhold  not  thy  hand :  for  thou  knowest  not  wheth- 
er shall  prosper,  either  this  or  that,  or  whether  they 
both  shall  be  alike  good.    Eccles.  11:6. 

Say  among  the  heathen  that  the  Lord  reigneth : 
the  world  also  shall  be  established  that  it  shall  not 
be  moved:  he  shall  judge  the  people  righteously. 
Ps.  96 :  10. 

Honor  the  Lord  with  thy  substance,  and  with  the 
first-fruits  of  all  thine  increase.  Prov.  3  :  9. 

Declare  his  glory  among  the  heathen,  his  wonders 
among  all  people.   Ps.  96  :  3. 

Go  through,  go  through  the  gates ;  prepare  ye  the 
way  of  the  people;  cast  up,  cast  up  the  highway; 
gather  out  the  stones ;  lift  up  a  standard  for  the 
people.   Isa.  62  :  10. 

And  heal  the  side  that  are  therein,  and  sav  unto 


RESrONSIVE    READINGS.  7 

them,  The  kingdom  of  God  is  come  nigh  unto  you. 
Luke   10:9. 

And  Jesus  said  unto  them,  Come  ye  after  me,  and 
I  will  make  you  to  become  fishers  cf  men.  Mark 
1:17. 

Go  ye  therefore,  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing 
them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son, 
and  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Teaching  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever 
I  have  commanded  you :  and  lo,  I  am  with  you 
always,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.  Amen. 
Matt.  28  :  19,  20. 

That  repentance  and  remission  of  sins  should  be 
preached  in  his  name  among  all  nations,  beginning 
at  Jerusalem.  Luke  24  :  47. 

And  he  commanded  us  to  preach  unto  the  people, 
and  to  testify  that  it  is  he  which  was  ordained  of 
God  to  be  the  Judge  of  quick  and  dead.   Acts  10 :  42. 

I  have  showed  you  all  things,  how  that  so  labor- 
ing ye  ought  to  support  the  weak,  and  to  remember 
the  words  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  how  he  said,  It  is  more 
blessed  to  give  than  to  receive.   Acts  20 :  35. 

Every  man  according  as  he  purposeth  in  his  heart, 
80  let  him  give ;  not  grudgingly,  or  of  necessity  •  for 
God  loveth  a  cheerful  giver.   2  Cor.  9  :  7. 

ENCOURAGEMENTS. 

Fear  thou  not ;  for  I  am  with  thee :  be  not  dis- 
mayed ;  for  I  am  thy  God  :  I  will  strengthen  thee ; 
yea,  I  will  help  thee;  yea,  I  will  uphold  thee  with 
the  right  hand  of  my  righteousness.   Isa.  41  :  10. 

And  I  will  bring  the  blind  by  a  way  that  they  knew 
not;  I  will  lead  them  in  paths  that  they  have  not 
known  :  I  will  make  darkness  light  before  them,  nn^ 


8  MISSIONARY    EXEKCiSKS. 

crooked  things  straight.  These  things  will  I  do  unto 
them,  and  not  forsake  them.  Isa.  42 :  16. 

Thou  therefore  gird  up  thy  loins,  and  arise,  and 
speak  unto  them  all  that  I  command  thee:  be  not 
dismayed  at  their  faces,  lest  I  confound  thee  before 
them.   Jer.  1  :  17. 

And  the  idols  he  shall  utterly  abolish.  Isa.  2  :  18. 

They  shall  not  hurt  nor  destroy  in  all  my  holy 
mountain  :  for  the  earth  shall  be  full  of  the  knowledge 
of  the  Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea.  Isa.  11 : 9. 

Fear  not;  for  I  am  with  thee:  I  will  bring  thy 
seed  from  the  east,  and  gather  them  from  the  west. 
Isa.  43 : 5. 

They  shall  lift  up  their  voice,  they  shall  sing  for 
the  majesty  of  the  Lord,  they  shall  cry  aloud  from 
the  sea.   Isa.  24  :  14. 

REWARDS. 

Cast  thy  bread  upon  the  waters :  for  tiiou  shalt 
find  it  after  many  days.    Eccles.  11 :  1. 

And  they  that  be  wise  shall  shine  as  the  brightness 
of  the  firmament;  and  they  that  turn  many  to  right- 
eousness, as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever.     Dan.  12  :  3. 

And  when  the  chief  Shepherd  shall  appear,  ye 
shall  receive  a  crown  of  glory  that  fadeth  not  away. 
1  Pet.  5:4. 

For  he  that  soweth  to  his  flesh  shall  of  the  flesh 
reap  corruption ;  but  he  that  soweth  to  the  Spirit, 
shall  of  the  Spirit  reap  life  everlasting.  Gal.  6 : 8. 

The  liberal  soul  shall  be  made  fat;  and  he  that 
watereth  shall  be  watered  also  himself.  Prov.  11 :  25. 

Primary  Class. — 

The  idols  of  the  heathen  are  silver  and  gold,  the 
work  of  men's  hands. 


RESPONSIVE    READINGS.  9 

They  have  mouths,  but  they  speak  not ;  eyes  have 
they,  but  they   see  not; 

They  have  ears,  but  they  hear  not ;  neither  is  there 
any  breatli  in  their  mouths. 

They  that  make  them  are  Hke  unto  them ;  so  is 
every  one  that  trusteth  in  them.  Ps.  135  :  15,  16, 
17,  18. 

FINAL  GLOKY. 

How  beautiful  upon  the  mountains  are  the  feet 
of  him  that  bringeth  good  tidings,  that  pubhsheth 
peace ;  that  bringeth  good  tidings  of  good,  that  pub- 
lisheth  salvation :  that  saith  unto  Zion,  Thy  God 
reigneth  !  Isa.  52  :  7. 

Thy  people  also  shall  be  all  righteous :  they  shall  in- 
herit the  land  for  ever,  the  branch  of  my  planting, 
the  work  of  my  hands,  that  I  may  be  glorified. 

A  little  one  shall  become  a  thousand,  and  a  small 
one  a  strong  nation :  I  the  Lord  will  hasten  it  in  his 
time.  Isa.  60  :  21,  22. 

Thou  shalt  also  be  a  crown  of  glory  in  the  hand 
of  the  Lord,  and  a  royal  diadem  in  the  hand  of  thy 
God.  Isa.  62  :  3. 

And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  the  last  days,  that  the 
mountain  of  the  Lord's  house  shall  be  established 
in  the  top  of  the  mountains,  and  shall  be  exalted 
above  the  hills;  and  all  nations  shall  flow  into  it. 
Isa.  2 :  2. 


No.  3.  PROMISES  OF  CHRIST'S  UNIVERSAL  REIGN. 

Ps.  22  :  27-31 ;  Ps.  68  :  31 ;  Isa.  2  :  2,  3 ;  Isa  25  :  7, 
8  ;  Isa.  66  :  23,  24 ;  Jer.  4:2;  Mic.  4  : 1,  2  ;  Heb.  2  :  14 ; 
Matt.  16 :  18,  19 ;  Heb.  8:11;  Rev.  14  :  6. 


10  MISSIONARY    KXEKCISEK. 

No.  4.  THE  BLESSEDNESS  OF  GIVING. 

Mark  12  :  41-44 ;    1  Tim.  6  :  17-19 ;   Rom.  11  :  35, 
36;  1  Chron.  29:9-16;  John  3:16;  Matt.  5 :  42. 


No.  5.    CHRIST'S  DOMINION. 

Leader. — Every  valley  shall  be  filled,  and  every 
mountain  and  hill  shall  be  brought  low  ;  and  the 
crooked  shall  be  made  straight,  and  the  rough  ways 
shall  be  made  smooth. 

School. — And  all  flesh  shall  see  the  salvation  of 
God. 

Teachers. — This  is  he  of  whom  it  is  written,  Be- 
hold I  send  my  messenger  before  thy  face,  which 
shall  prepare  thy  way  before  thee. 

S. — The  voice  of  him  that  crieth  in  the  wilderness, 
Prepare  ye  tlie  way  of  the  Lord,  make  straight  in 
the  desert  a  highway  for  our  God. 

L. — And  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be  revealed, 
and  all  flesh  shall  see  it  together :  • 

T. — For  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it. 

S. — He  shall  have  dominion  also  from  sea  to  sea, 
and  from  the  river  to  the  ends  of  the  earth. 

T. — They  that  dwell  in  the  wilderness  shall  bow 
before  him ;  and  his  enemies  shall  lick  the  dust. 

L. —  Yea,  all  kings  shall  fall  down  before  him ;  all 
nations  shall  serve  him. 

S. — Ask  of  me,  and  I  shall  give  thee  the  heathen 
for  thine  inheritance,  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the 
earth  for  thy  possession. 

L. — All  the  ends  of  the  world  shall  remember,  and 
turn  unto  the  Lord. 

T. — And  all  the  kindreds  of  the  nations  shall  wor- 
ship before  thee. 


RESPONSIVE    READ.NOS.  11 

L. — Princes  shall  come  out  of  Egypt :  Ethiopia 
shall  soon  stretch  out  her  hands  unto  God. 

S. — My  righteousness  is  near ;  my  salvation  is  gone 
forth,  and  mine  arms  shall  judge  the  people :  the  isles 
shall  wait  upon  me,  and  on  mine  arm  shall  they  trust, 

L. — And  the  Gentiles  shall  see  thy  righteousness, 
and  all  kings  thy  glory.  .  .  . 

S. — And  many  nations  shall  come,  and  say,  Come, 
and  let  us  go  up  to  the  mountain  of  the  Lord,  and  to 
the  house  of  the  God  of  Jacob ;  and  he  will  teach  us 
of  his  ways,  and  we  will  walk  in  his  paths ;  for  the 
law  shall  go  forth  of  Zion,  and  the  word  of  the 
Lord  from  Jerusalem. 

L. — And  they  shall  come  from  the  east,  and  from 
the  west,  and  from  the  north,  and  from  the  south, 
and  shall  sit  down  in  the  kingdom  of  God. 

S. — And  there  were  great  voices  in  heaven,  saying. 
The  kingdoms  of  this  world  are  become  the  kingdoms 
of  our  Lord,  and  of  his  Christ ;  and  he  shall  reign 
for  ever  and  ever. 

L. — Give,  and  it  shall  be  given  unto  you ;  good  meas- 
ure, pressed  down,  and  shaken  together,  and  running 
over,  shall  men  give  into  your  bosom.  For  with  the 
same  measure  that  ye  mete  withal,  it  shall  be  meas- 
ured to  you  again. 

S. — Cast  thy  bread  upon  the  waters,  for  thou  shalt 
find  it  after  many  days. 

L. — He  that  hath  two  coats,  let  him  impart  to  him 
that  hath  none ;  and  he  that  hath  meat,  let  him  do 
likewise. 

S. — He  that  goeth  forth  and  weepeth,  bearing  pre- 
cious seed,  shall  doubtless  come  ^gain  with  rejoicing, 
bringing  his  sheaves  with  him. 

L. — But  the  liberal  deviseth  liberal  things,  and  by 
liberal  things  shall  he  stand. 


12  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

S. — That  they  do  good,  that  they  be  rich  in  good 
works,  ready  to  distribute,  willing  to  communicate. 

L. — I  have  showed  you  all  things,  how  that  so 
laboring  ye  ought  to  support  the  weak;  and  to  re- 
member the  words  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  how  he  said, 
It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive. 

S. — Lift  up  your  eyes  and  look  on  the  fields,  for 
they  are  white  already  to  harvest. 

L. — But  this  I  say,  He  which  soweth  sparingly  shall 
reap  also  sparingly ;  and  he  which  soweth  bountifully 
shall  reap  also  bountifully. 

S. — Every  man  according  as  he  purposeth  in  his 
heart,  so  let  him  give;  not  grudgingly  or  of  neces- 
sity; for  God  loveth  a  cheerful  giver. 

L. — Thy  kingdom  come,  thy  will  be  done,  in  earth 
as  it  is  in  heaven. 

S. — Now  He  that  ministereth  seed  to  the  sower, 
both  minister  bread  for  your  food,  and  multiply  your 
seed  sown,  and  increase  the  fruits  of  your  righteous- 
ness. 

L. — And  if  thou  draw  out  thy  soul  to  the  hungry, 
and  satisfy  the  afflicted  soul;  then  shall  thy  light 
rise  in  obscurity,  and  thy  darkness  be  as  the  noon- 
day. 

S. — Withhold  not  good  from  them  to  whom  it  is  due, 
when  it  is  in  the  power  of  thine  hand  to  do  it. 

L. — Say  not  unto  thy  neighbor.  Go  and  come 
again,  and  to-morrow  I  will  give;  when  thou  hast  it 
by  thee. 

S. — Therefore  as  ye  abound  in  everything,  ,  .  .  see 
that  ye  abound  in  this  grace  also,  ...  for  ye  know  the 
grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  though  he  was  rich, 
yet  for  your  sakes  he  became  poor,  that  ye  through  his 
poverty  might  be  rich. 

L. — There  is  that  scattereth,  and  yet  increaseth ;  and 


RESPONSIVE    READINGS.  13 

there  is  that  withholdeth  more  than  is  meet,  but  it  tend- 
eth  to  poverty. 

S. — The  liberal  soul  shall  be  made  fat ;  and  he  that 
watereth  shall  be  watered  also  himself. 

L. — Upon  the  first  day  of  the  week  let  every  one  of 
3  ou  lay  by  him  in  store,  as  God  hath  prospered  him, 
that  there  be  no  gatherings  when  I  come. 

S. — The  harvest  truly  is  great,  but  the  laborers  are 
few ;  pray  ye  therefore  the  Lord  of  the  harvest,  that  he 
would  send  forth  laborers  into  his  harvest. 

L. — This  gospel  of  the  kingdom  shall  be  preached  in 
all  the  world,  for  a  witness  unto  all  nations. 

S. — And  when  I  come,  whomsoever  ye  shall  approve 
by  your  letters,  them  will  I  send  to  bring  your  liberal- 
ity unto  Jerusalem. 

L. — And  whosoever  shall  give  to  drink  unto  one  of 
these  little  ones  a  cup  of  cold  water  only  in  the  name 
of  a  disciple,  verily  I  say  unto  you,  he  shall  in  no  wise 
lose  his  reward. 

S. — And  let  us  not  be  weary  in  well-doing ;  for  in  due 
season  we  shall  reap  if  we  faint  not. 

L. — Declare  his  glory  among  the  heathen,  his  won- 
ders among  all  people. 

S. — Oh  send  out  thy  light  and  thy  truth,  .  .  .  that 
thy  way  may  be  known  upon  the  earth,  thy  saving 
health  among  all  nations. 

L. — The  dark  places  of  the  earth  are  full  of  the  hab- 
itations of  cruelty. 

S. — As  we  have  therefore  opportunity,  let  us  do  good 
unto  all  men. 


J  4  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

No.  6.  THE  WORD  AND  THE  WORK. 

1.  What  is  the  great  commission  ? 

And  he  said  unto  them,  Go  ye  into  all  the  world, 
and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature. 

2.  Who  were  the  first  missionaries,  and  by  whom  ap- 
pointed ? 

As  they  ministered  to  the  Lord,  and  fasted,  the 
Holy  Ghost  said,  Separate  me  Barnabas  and  Saul  for 
the  work  whereunto  I  have  called  them. 

3.  Is  the  field  ready  for  the  harvest? 

Behold  I  say  unto  you,  Lift  up  your  eyes,  and  look 
on  the  fields,  for  they  are  white  already  to  harvest. 

4.  Are  the  heathen  condemned  9 

Wherefore  as  by  man  sin  entered  into  the  world, 
and  death  by  sin,  so  death  passed  upon  all  men,  for 
that  all  have  sinned. 

5.  Have  they  any  excuse  for  not  believing  f 

For  the  invisible  things  of  him  from  the  creation 
of  the  world  are  clearly  seen,  being  understood  by  the 
things  that  are  made,  even  his  eternal  power  and  God- 
head :  so  that  they  are  without  excuse. 

6.  How,  then,  can  the  heathen  be  saved  ? 

And  the  Scripture,  foreseeing  that  God  would  justify 
the  heathen  through  faith,  preached  before  the  gospel 
unto  Abraham,  saying.  In  thee  shall  all  nations  be 
blessed. 

7.  Is  there  salvation  for  them  excepting  through  Christ? 
Neither  is  there  salvation  in  any  other,  for  there  is 

none  other  name  under  heaven  given   among  men 
whereby  we  must  be  saved. 

8.  How  can  they  obtain  faith  f 

So  then  faith  cometh  by  hearing,  and  hearing  by 
the  word  of  God. 

9.  What  plea,  then,  can  the  heathen  bring  for  their 
unhelieff 


RESPONSIVE    READINGS.  15 

How  then  shall  they  call  on  Him  in  wliom  they 
have  not  believed?  And  how  shall  they  believe  in 
Him  of  whom  they  have  not  heard  ?  And  how  shall 
they  hear  without  a  preacher  ? 

10.  Have  we  reason  to  believe  that  missions  to  the  heathen 
will  be  crowned  with  success  f 

Ask  of  me,  and  I  shall  give  thee  the  heathen  for 
thine  inheritance,  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth 
for  thy  possession. 

11.  Is  it  God's  purpose  that  the  gospel  should  be  preached 
to  all  nations  ? 

Thus  it  is  written,  and  thus  it  behooved  Christ  to 
suffer,  and  to  rise  from  the  dead  the  third  day  :  and 
that  repentance  and  remission  of  sins  should  be 
preached  in  his  name  among  all  nations,  beginning 
at  Jerusalem. 

12.  Is  it  still  right  and  necessary  to  pray  for  the  accom- 
plishment of  this  purpose  f 

Thus  saith  the  Lord  God,  I  will  yet  for  this  be  in- 
quired of  by  the  house  of  Israel  to  do  it  for  them. 
Pray  ye  therefore  the  Lord  of  the  harvest,  that  he  will 
send  forth  laborers  into  his  harvest. 

13.  What  promise  of  assistance  have  we  in  this  work  f 
Teaching  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I 

have  commanded  you,  and  lo,  I  am  with  you  alwa}'^, 
even  unto  the  end  of  the  world  ? 

14.  When  shall  the  end  come  ? 

And  this  gospel  of  the  kingdom  shall  be  preached 
in  all  the  world  for  a  witness  unto  all  nations,  and 
then  shall  the  end  come. 


16  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

No.  7.  OPENING  EXERCISE. 

Leader. — We  beseech  thee,  0  God  of  hosts;  look 
down  from  heaven,  and  behold,  and  visit  this  vine  and 
the  vineyard  which  thy  right  hand  hath  planted,  and 
the  branch  which  thou  madest  strong  for  thyself.  Ps. 
80 :  14,  15. 

Reply,  by  member  of  the  Band. — I  will  pour  water 
upon  him  that  is  thirsty,  and  floods  upon  the  dry 
grounds.  I  will  pour  my  Spirit  upon  thy  seed  and 
my  blessing  upon  thine  offsj^ring ;  and  they  shall 
spring  up  as  among  the  grass,  as  willows  b}'^  the 
water-courses.  One  shall  say,  I  am  the  Lord's ;  and 
another  shall  call  himself  by  the  name  of  Jacob ; 
and  another  shall  subscribe  with  his  hand  unto  the 
Lord,  and  surname  himself  by  tlie  name  of  Jacob. 
Isa.  44 : 3-5. 

L. — What  shall  we  then  say  to  these  things  ?  If 
God  be  for  us,  who  can  be  against  us  ?  Rom.  8  :  31. 

R. — Fear  thou  not,  for  I  am  with  thee  ;  be  not  dis- 
mayed ;  for  I  am  thy  God  ;  I  will  strengthen  thee ; 
yea,  I  will  help  thee ;  yea,  I  will  uphold  thee  with 
the  right  hand  of  my  righteousness.    Isa.  41 :  10. 

L. — God  is  not  a  man,  that  he  should  lie ;  neither 
the  son  of  man,  that  he  should  repent :  hath  he 
said,  and  shall  he  not  do  it?  or  hath  he  spoken,  and 
shall  he  not  make  it  good?  Num.  23:  19. 

R. — And  behold,  this  day  I  am  going  the  way  of  all 
the  earth :  and  ye  know  in  all  your  hearts  and  in  all 
your  souls,  that  not  one  thing  hath  failed  of  all  the 
good  things  which  the  Lord  your  God  spake  concern- 
ing you ;  all  are  come  to  pass  unto  you,  and  not  one 
thing  hath  failed  thereof.  Josh.  23  :  14. 

L. — What  shall  I  render  unto  the  Lord  for  all  his 
benefits  toward  me?  Ps.  16:  12. 


RESPONSIVE    READINGS.  17 

R. — And  h(;  said  unto  them,  Go  ye  into  all  the  world 
and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature  (Mark  16  :  15). 
Let  your  light  so  shine  before  men  that  they  may  see 
your  good  works,  and  glorify  your  Father  which  is  in 
heaven.  Matt.  5  :  16. 


No.  8.  PAUL'S  MISSIONARY  JOURNEYS. 

[Let  the  following  exercise  be  illustrated  by  maps,  diagrams 
and  pictures,  and  clearly  explained  by  the  Superintendent.  By 
taking  the  journeys  separately,  and  interspersing  singing  and  other 
exercises,  each  may  be  made  the  subject  of  an  entire  meeting.] 

EECITATIONS. 
I.  The  Gentile  Church  at  Antioch.  Acts  11 :  19-28. 

II.  PauVs  First  Missionary  Journey. 
Cyprus  and  Perga.  Acts  13  :  4-14. 
Antioch  in  Pisidia.  Acts  13  :  44-49. 
Iconium.  Acts  13  :  49-52 ;  14  : 1-3. 
Lystra  and  Derbe.  Acts  14  :  4-20. 
Antioch.  Acts  14  :  21-28. 

A.  D.  46-47. 

III.  PauVs  Second  Missionary  Journey.  Acts  15  :  36. 
Syria  and  Asia  Minor.  Acts  15  :  40,  41 ;  16  : 1-5. 
Europe.  Acts  16  :  11-13. 
Athens.  Acts  17 :  15 ;  17  :  16-21. 
Sermon  at  Athens.  Acts  17  :  22-34. 
At  Corinth.  Acts  18  : 1-6 ;  18  :  T-ll. 
A.  D.  51-54. 

rV.  PauVs  Third  Misionary  Tour.  Acts  18  :  21-23. 

Ephesus.  Acts  19  : 1-7. 

A.  D.  54-57. 
2 


18  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

Greece.  Acts  20  : 1-3. 
Troas.  Acts  20 :  6,  7. 
Miletus.  Acts  20  :  17-23. 

V.  PavVs  Fourth  Missionary  Tour. 
Italy.  Acts  27. 

[Let  this  journey  be  narrated  by  the  Superintendent  and  shown 
by  pictures  and  diagrams.] 

Eome.  Acts  28  :  12-16. 

Supt. — What  cities  have  been  mentioned  in  Paul's 
missionary  tours? 

Supt. — After  Paul  had  established  churches  in  these 
cities,  how  did  he  continue  to  instruct  and  guide 
them? 

School. — By  letters  or  Epistles. 

Supt. — Repeat  the  beginning  of  Paul's  letter  to  the 
Romans. 

Pupil. — Rom.  1 : 1-7. 

Supt. — Where  was  this  letter  written,  and  by  whom 
was  it  sent? 

Acts  16  (paragraphic  note), 

Supt. — Repeat  the  salutation  to  the  Corinthians  in 
Paul's  first  letter. 

1  Cor.  1 : 1-3. 

Supt. — Where  were  the  letters  to  the  Corinthians 
written  ?     (At  Philippi.) 

Supt. — Repeat  Paul's  benediction  in  his  letter  to  the 
l']phesians. 

Ei)h.  6  :  23,  24. 

Supt. — Where  was  the  letter  to  the  Ephesians  wrii-' 
ten  ?     (Rome.) 

Supt. — Repeat  Paul's  impressive  charge  to  the  Thes- 
salonians.     1  Thess.  5  :  14-28. 

Supt. — Where  was  the  letter  written  ?     (Athens.) 

An  address  may  appropriately  follow,  showing  how 


KESPONSIVE   READINGS.  19 

the  gospel,  after  the  decease  of  the  apostles,  spread 
over  Europe,  and  its  present  progress  in  the  world. 

[Used  by  special  permission  of  Garrigues  Brothers,  Philadelphia,  who  publish 
the  exercises  in  tract  form.] 


No.  9.    THE  WHITE  ROBE. 

Sing,  "  Around  the  throne  of  God  in  heaven,"  etc. 

Read,  Ecclesiastes  9. 

How  can  we  have  this  robe  here  on  earth?  Isa. 
61  :  10. 

How  are  we  told  to  keep  our  garments?  Eccles. 
9:8. 

How  do  we  soil  our  garments  ? 

How  can  we  have  them  made  clean  ?   Ps.  51  :  2,  7. 

Sing,  "All  to  Christ  I  owe." 

Will  we  have  white  robes  in  heaven  ?   Rev.  7  :  9. 
How  shall  we  get  them  ?  Rev.  7  :  14. 

Sing,  "  Jesus  the  water  of  life  will  give,"  3d  verse. 

What  are  we  commanded  to  do?  Rev.  16  :  15. 
If  we  keep  our  robes  clean  here  on  earth,  what  will 
Christ  say  to  us  at  the  last  day  ?  Song  of  Sol.  4  :  7. 

EECITATION. 

"  Heavenly  Father,  I  would  wear 
Angel  garments  white  and  fair ; 
Angel  vesture  undefiled 
Wilt  thou  give  unto  thy  child. 

"  Take  the  raiment  soiled  away 
That  I  wear  with  shame  to-dav  ; 


20  MISS10^■ARY    EXERCISES. 

Give  my  angel  robes  to  me, 
White  with  heaven's  own  purity. 

"  Take  away  my  cloak  of  pride, 
That  the  worthless  rags  would  hide 
Clothe  me  in  my  angel  dress. 
Beautiful  with  holiness. 

"  Let  me  wear  the  white  robes  here, 
E'en  on  earth,  my  Father  dear, 
Holding  fast  thy  hand,  and  so 
Through  the  world  unspotted  go." 

Children's  Work  for  Children. 


No.  10.    GIVING. 

By  Mrs.  A.  E.  Penney. 

What  was  God's  best  gift  to  man? 

God  so  loved  the  world,  etc.  John  3  :  16. 

What  should  be  the  measure  of  our  giving  . 

Freely  ye  have  received,  freely  give.  Matt.  10  :  8. 

What  is  first  accepted  in  giving? 

If  there  be  first  a  willing  mind,  etc.  2  Cor.  8  :  12. 

Who  should  give  ? 

Every  man  as  he  purposeth  in  his  heart,  2  Cor.  9  :  7. 

To  whom  should  we  give? 

As  we  have  therefore  opportunity,  etc.  Gal.  6  :  10. 

What  promise  to  those  who  honor  God  by  giving? 

Honor  the  Lord  with  thy  substance,  etc.  Prov.  3  : 
9, 10. 

Give  and  it  shall  be  given  you,  etc.  Luke  6  :  38. 

If  thou  draw  out  thy  soul  to  the  hungry,  etc.  Isa. 
58  :  10,  11. 

What  did  Jesus  observe  at  the  temple  treasury  ? 


KESI'ONSIVE    READINGS.  21 

And  Jesus  sat  over  against  the  treasury,  etc.  Mark 
12:41,42. 

What  was  his  comment  on  this  act? 

And  he  called  unto  him  his  disciples,  etc.  Mark 
12  :  43,  44. 

What  spirit  did  David  show  in  making  his  offering 
to  the  Lord  ? 

And  the  king  said  unto  Araunah,  etc.  2  Sam.  24 :  24. 

Is  it  safe  to  refrain  from  giving? 

There  is  that  withholdeth  more  than  is  meet,  etc. 
Prov.  11  :  24. 

As  God's  stewards  what  is  required  of  us? 

Moreover  it  is  required  in  stewards,  etc.  1  Cor.  4  :  2. 

To  whom  do  we  all  belong? 

And  ye  are  not  your  own ;  for  ye  are  bought  with 
a  price,  etc.  1  Cor.  6  :  19,  20,  last  clause ;  also,  1  Cor. 
2  :  23. — The  Missionary  Helper. 


No.  11.    FAITH,  HOPE  AND  CHARITY. 

[A  concert  exercise  for  five  girls  or  boys.] 
By  Mrs.  M.  E.  C.  Slade. 

In  Concert. — And  now  abideth  faith,  hope,  charity, 
these  three;  but  the  greatest  of  these  is  charity.  1  Cor. 
13  :  13. 

First. — Faith  is  the  substance  of  things  hoped  for, 
the  evidence  of  things  not  seen.  Heb.  11  :  1. 

Second. — Without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  him. 
Heb.  11  :  6. 

Third. — Faith  which  worketh  by  love.  Gal.  5  :  6. 

Fourth. — Faith  cometh  by  hearing,  and  hearing  by 
the  word  of  God.   Rom.  10  :  17. 


22  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

Fifth, — Fight  the  good  fight  of  faith ;  lay  hold  on 
eternal  life.    1  Tim.  6  :  12. 

Mrst. — Abide  in  me,  strong  Faith,  bright  evidence 
Of  things  beyond  the  sphere  of  time  and 

sense ; 
Be  thou  the  light  to  gleam  our  pathway  o'er 
Till  faith  is  changed  to  light  for  evermore. 
Abide  in  me,  strong  Faith. 
First. — What  is  our  hope,  or  joy,  or  crown  of  re- 
joicing?  1  Thess.  2:  19. 

Second. — It  is  good  that  a  man  should  both  hope 
and  quietly  wait  for  the  salvation  of  the  Lord.  Lam. 
3  :  26. 

Third. — The  hope  of  the  righteous  shall  be  gladness. 
Prov.  10  :  28. 

Fourth. — Happy  is  he  that  hath  the  God  of  Jacob 
for  his  help,  whose  hope  is  in  the  Lord  his  God.  Ps. 
146  :  5. 

Fijth. — Which  hope  we  have  as  an  anchor  of  the 
soul,  both  sure  and  steadfast.   Heb.  6  :  19. 

Second. — Abide  in  me,  calm  Hope ;  on  thee  we  lean 
While  journeying  onward  to  the  shore  un- 
seen— 
Thou  anchor  to  the  soul  that  cannot  fail, 
Which  entereth  into  that  within  the  veil. 
Abide  in  me,  calm  Hope. 
First. — Above  all  these  things  put  on  charity,  which 
is  the  bond  of  perfectness.  Col.  3 :  14. 

Second. — Be  thou  an  example  of  the  believers  in 
word,  in  conversation,  in  charity.  1  Tim.  4 :  12. 

Third. — The  end  of  the  commandment  is  charity, 
out  of  a  pure  heart.  1  Tim.  1 : 5. 

Fourth. — Though  I  speak  with  the  tongues  of  men 
and  of  angels,  and  have  not  charity,  I  am  become 
as  sounding  brass  or  a  tinkling  cymbal.  1  Cor.  13  : 1. 


RESPONSIVE    READINGS,  23 

Fifth. — And  now  abideth  faith,  hope  and  charity, 
these  three,  but  the  greatest  of  these  is  charity.  1  Cor. 
13 :  13. 

Third. — Abide  in  me,  pure  Charity  divine ; 

Within  our  hearts  and  in  our  actions  shine. 
'Tis  thine  to  soothe,  to  cheer,  to  help,  to  bless, 
Thou  crowning  grace,   bright  bond  of  per- 
fectness. 
Abide  in  me,  sweet  Charity. 
In  Concert. — Faith,  Hope  and  Charity,  bright  gems 
divine. 
In  us,  as  jewels,  shine ; 
Faith,  Hope  and  Charity,  each  lovely 

grace 
Within  our  souls  have  place. 
Faith,  Hope  and  Charity — Lord,  these 

shall  be 
Our  guides  to  heaven  and  thee. 

Good  Times. 


No.  12.    WIDENING  PROMISES. 
By  H.  M.  J. 

[This  responsive  exercise  was  written  for  a  class  of  sixteen  young 
ladies.  Eight  sat  on  each  side  the  pulpit,  one  prominent  voice 
reciting  Promise  No.  1.  Four  voices  on  the  opposite  side  next 
recited  Promise  No.  2;  then  all  the  voices  joined  in  reciting  the 
last  and  widest  promise  with  emphasis.  Then  they  began  again 
with  No.  1,  then  No.  2,  and  so  on.] 

Promise  No.  1. 

1.  Num.  24  :  17 :  There  shall  come  a  star  out  of 
Jacob. 

2.  Isa.  60  :  3 :  And  the  Gentiles  shcdl  come  to  thy  light, 
and  kings  to  the  hright-ne^R  of  thy  rising. 


24  MISSIONARY  EXERCnSES. 

3.  Isa.  49  :  6 :  I  will  also  give  thee  for  a  light  to  the 
Gentiles,  that  thou  mayest  be  my  salvation  unto  the 
end  of  the  earth. 

No.  2. 

1.  Zech.  13  :  1 :  In  that  day  there  shall  be  a  foun- 
tain opened  to  the  house  of  David,  and  to  the  inhab- 
itants of  Jerusalem,  for  sin  and  for  uncleanness. 

2.  Ezek.  36 :  25,  26 :  Then  will  I  sprinkle  clean  water  upon 
you,  and  ye  shall  be  clean  ;  from  all  your  filthiness,  and  from 
all  your  idols  will  I  cleanse  you.  A  new  heart  also  will  I 
give  you,  and  a  new  spirit  will  I  put  within  you. 

3.  Heb.  8:12:  For  I  will  be  merciful  to  their  un- 
righteousness and  their  sins,  and  their  iniquities  will 
I  remember  no  more. 

No.  3. 

1.  Luke  2  :  10 :  And  the  angel  said  unto  them. 
Fear  not,  for  behold,  I  bring  you  good  tidings  of  great 
joy,  which  shall  be  to  all  people. 

2.  Isa.  9:6:  For  unto  us  a  child  is  born,  unto  us  a  son 
is  given ;  and  the  government  shall  be  upon  his  shoulder : 
and  his  name  shall  be  called  Wonderful,  Counselor,  the 
Mighty  God,  the  Everlasting  Father,  the  Prince  of  Peace. 

3.  Luke  1  :  33 :  And  he  shall  reign  over  the  house 
of  Jacob  for  ever,  and  of  his  kingdom  there  shall  be 
no  end. 

No.  4. 

1.  Mai.  3:3:  The  Lord  whom  ye  seek  shall  sud- 
denly come  to  his  temple,  even  the  messenger  of  the 
covenant,  whom  ye  delight  in :  behold,  he  shall 
come,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts. 

2.  Isa.  55  :  3 :  /  will  make  an  everlasting  covenant  with 
you,  even  the  sure  mercies  of  David. 

3.  Isa.  59  :  21 :  This  is  my  covenant  with  them, 
saith  the  Lord ;  my  Spirit  that  is  upon  thee,  and  my 
words  which    I   have   put   in  thy   mouth,  shall   not 


RESPONSIVE    READINGS,  25 

depart  out  of  thy  mouth,  nor  out  of  the  mouth  of 
thy  seed,  nor  out  of  the  mouth  of  thy  seed's  seed, 
paith  the  Lord,/ro7?i  henceforth  and  for  ever. 

No.  5. 

1.  Isa.  40  :  8 :  The  grass  withereth,  the  flower  fadeth  : 
but  tlie  word  of  our  God  shall  stand  for  ever. 

2.  Luke  21  :  33 :  Heaven  and  earth  shall  pass  away, 
hut  my  words  shall  not  pass  away. 

3.  Isa.  55  :  10,  11 :  For  as  the  rain  cometh  down, 
and  the  snow  from  heaven,  and  returneth  not  thither, 
but  watereth  the  earth  and  maketh  it  bring  forth  and 
bud,  that  it  may  give  seed  to  the  sower  and  bread  to 
the  eater ;  so  shall  my  word  be  that  goeth  forth  out 
of  my  mouth  ;  it  shall  not  return  unto  me  void,  but 
it  shall  accomplish  that  which  I  please,  and  it  shall 
prosper  in  the  thing  whereto  I  sent  it. 

No.  6. 

1.  Isa.  42  :  17 :  They  shall  be  turned  back,  they 
shall  be  greatly  ashamed  that  trust  in  graven  images, 
that  say  to  the  molten  images.  Ye  are  our  gods. 

2.  Zech  13  :  2:  I  will  cut  off  the  names  of  the  idols  out 
of  the  land,  and  they  shall  no  more  be  remembered. 

3.  Mai.  1  :  11 :  For  from  the  rising  of  the  sun  even 
unto  the  going  down  of  the  same,  my  name  shall  be 
great  among  the  Gentiles ;  and  in  every  place  incense 
shall  be  offered  unto  m}^  name,  and  a  pure  offering ; 
for  my  name  shall  be  great  among  the  heathen,  saith 

the  Lord  of  hosts. 

No.  7. 

1.  Ezek.  36  :  23 :  I  will  sanctify  my  great  name 
which  was  profaned  among  the  heathen,  .  .  .  and  the 
heathen  shnll  know  that  I  am  the  Lord,  saitli  the 


20  MISSlONAltV     i;XEK("ISKS, 

Liivd  God,  when   I  shall  bo  sanctified  in  yon  before 
their  eyes. 

2.  Isa.  43  :  5 :  Fear  not,  for  I  am  with  thee. 

3.  Isa.  43  :  6 :  I  will  bring  thy  seed  from  the  east^ 
and  gather  thee  from  the  west;  I  will  say  to  the  north, 
Give  up;  and  to  the  south,  Keep  not  back,  bring  my 
sons  from  far,  and  my  daughters  from  the  ends  of  the 
earth. 

No.  8. 

1.  Acts  1:8:  Ye  shall  receive  power  after  that  the 
Holy  Ghost  is.  come  upon  3'ou,  and  ye  shall  be  wit- 
nesses unto  me  both  in  Jerusalem  and  in  all  Judaea — • 

2.  And  in  Samaria — 

3.  And  unto  the  uttermost  part  of  the  earth. 

No.  9. 

1.  Isa.  45  :  23:  Unto  me  every  knee  shall  bow,  every 
tongue  shall  swear. 

2.  Isa.  40  :  4  :  Every  vallei/  shall  be  exalted,  and  every 
mountain  and  hill  shall  be  made  loiv,  and  the  crooked  shall 
be  made  straight,  and  the  rough  places  plain. 

3.  And  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be  revealed,  and 
all  flesh  shall  see  it  together. 

No.  10. 

1.  Matt.  24  :  14:  Tliis  gospel  of  the  kingdom  shall 
be  preached  in  all  the  world  for  a  witness  unto  all 
nations. 

2.  And  then  shall  the  end  come. 

3.  Dan.  7  :  27  :  And  the  kingdom  and  dominion 
and  the  greatness  of  the  kingdom  under  the  whole 
heaven  shall  be  given  to  the  people  of  the  saints 
of  the  Most  High,  whose  kingdom  is  an  everlasting 
kingdom,  and  all  dnminionA  shall  serve  and  obey  him. 


RESPOiVSlVE    READINGS.  27 

No.  13.  RESPONSIVE  READING. 

Leader. — The  Lord  reigneth  ;  let  the  earth  rejoice ; 
let  the  multitude  of  the  isles  be  glad  thereof.  Ps.  97  : 1. 

Band. — Therefore  glorify  ye  tlie  Lord,  even  the  name 
of  the  Lord  God  of  Israel  in  the  isles  of  the  sea.  From 
the  uttermost  part  of  the  earth  have  we  heard  songs, 
even  glory  to  the  righteous.  Isa.  24  :  15,  16. 

L. — This  gospel  of  the  kingdom  shall  be  preached 
in  all  the  world  for  a  witness  unto  all  nations.  Matt. 
24 :  14. 

Band. — Moreover,  thou  gavest  them  kingdoms  and 
nations.  Neh.  9  :  22. 

L. — Listen,  0  isles,  unto  me ;  and  hearken,  ye  peo- 
ple, from  far.  Isa.  49  :  1. 

Band. — Let  them  give  glory  unto  the  Lord,  and  de- 
clare his  praise  in  the  islands.  Isa.  42  :  12. 

L. — He  prophesied  that  Jesus  should  die  for  that 
nation;  and  not  for  that  nation  only,  but  also  that 
he  should  gather  together  in  one  the  children  of  God 
that  were  scattered  abroad.  John  11 :  51,  52. 

Band. — He  .  .  .  hath  made  of  one  blood  all  na.tions 
of  men  for  to  dwell  on  all  the  face  of  the  earth,  and 
hath  determined  the  times,  before  appointed,  and  the 
bounds  of  their  habitation,  that  they  should  seek  the 
Lord.  Acts  17  :  26,  27. 

L. — Ask  of  me,  and  I  shall  give  thee  the  heathen 
for  thine  inheritance,  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the 
earth  for  thy  possession.  Ps.  2  :  8. 

Band. — They  also  that  dwell  in  the  uttermost  parts 
are  afraid  at  thy  tokens ;  thou  makest  the  outgoings 
of  the  morning  and  evening  to  rejoice.  Ps.  65  :  8, 

L. — The  isles  saw  it,  and  feared ;  the  ends  of  the 
earth  were  afraid,  drew  near  and  came.  Isa.  41  :  5. 

Band. — Manv  isles  were  the  merchandise  of  thine 


28  MISSIONARY    KXEKflSES. 

hand  ;  they  bronglit  thee  for  a  present  liorns  of  ivory 
and  ebon)\  P^zek.  27  :  15. 

L. — Behold,  the  nations  are  ns  a  drop  of  a  bucket, 
and  are  counted  as  the  small  dust  of  the  balance  ;  be 
hold  :  he  taketh  up  the  isles  as  a  very  little  thing,  Isa. 
40:15. 

Band. — He  shall  not  fail  nor  be  discouraged,  till  he 
have  set  judgment  in  the  earth;  and  the  isles  sliall 
wait  for  his  law.  Isa.  13  :  4. 

L. — And  the  nations  of  them  which  are  saved  shall 
walk  in  the  light  of  it;  and  the  kings  of  the  earth  do 
bring  their  glory  and  honor  into  it.  Rev.  21  :  24. 

Band. — And  they  sung  a  new  song,  saying,  Thou 
art  worthy  to  take  the  book,  and  to  open  the  seals 
thereof:  for  thou  wast  slain,  and  lu-.s  redeemed  us  to 
God  by  thy  blood  out  of  every  kindred,  and  tongue, 
and  people,  and  nation.  Rev.  5  :  9. 


JMo.  14.  BIBLE-READING  ON  SYRIA. 

[Prepared  for  Illustrative  Band-meeting;  see  paj^e  .'^.>.] 

Leader. — About  1936  b.  c.  Abraham  in  IMesopotamia 
obeys  God's  call. 

1st  Member  reads  Gen.  12  :  1,  5. 

L. — God  gives  him  tlie  land. 

2d  Member,  Gen.  13  :  14,  15. 

L. — Just  before  his  death,  1451  b.  c,  Moses  gave  a 
summary  of  its  history  for  three  hundred  years. 

Third  Member,  Deut.  26  :  5-9. 

L. — Four  hundred  years  later,  David  conquers  Syria. 

Fourth  Member,  2  Sam.  8  :  5,  6. 

L. — Five  hundred  years  afterward  Ezekicl  tells  of  its 
riches. 

Fifth  Member,  l^v-ck.  27:  H>. 


KlvSl'oNSIVK    KliADINGS.  29 

L. — When  our  Saviour  was  born,  live  hundred  years 
later,  it  was  a  Roman  province,  including  Palestine. 

Sixth  Meraber,  Luke  2  : 1-3. 

L. — Syria  hears  the  gospel. 

Seventh  Member^  Matt.  4  :  24,  25. 

L. — Our  Saviour  visits  its  northern  coasts. 

Eighth  Member,  Mark  7  :  24,  31. 

L. — About  fourteen  years  after  our  Lord's  death  and 
resurrection  the  first  Foreign  Missionary  Society  was 
formed. 

Ninth  Member,  Acts  13  : 1-3. 

L. — The  next  year  the  anniversary  of  this  society 
was  held. 

Tenth  Member,  Acts  14  :  26,  27. 

L. — When  a  prisoner  on  his  way  to  Rome,  Paul  was 
permitted  to  visit  his  friends  in  Sidon,  thus  for  the 
last  time  treading  the  soil  of  Syria. 

Eleventh  Member,  Acts  27  :  2,  3,  4. 


No.  15.   COLLOaUY  BETWEEN  FAITH  AND  DOUBT. 

By  H.  M.  J. 

Doubt. — There  is  none  righteous,  no,  not  one.  There 
is  none  that  understandeth ;  there  is  none  thatseeketh 
after  God.  They  are  all  gone  out  of  the  way;  they 
are  altogether  become  unprofitable ;  there  is  none  that 
doeth  good,  no,  not  one. 

Faith. — Behold  the  Lamb  of  God  that  taketli  away 
the  sin  of  the  world !  All  we  like  sheep  have  gone 
astray ;  we  have  turned  every  one  to  his  own  way,  and 
the  Lord  hath  laid  on  him  the  iniquity  of  us  all. 

Doubt. — The  carnal  mind  is  enmity  against  God,  for 
it  is  not  subject  to  the  law  of  God,  neither  indeed 
can  be. 


30  AfJSSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

Faith. — If  any  man  be  in  Christ  Jesus,  he  is  a  new 
creature.  Old  things  are  passed  away.  Not  by  works 
of  righteousness  which  we  have  done,  but  according 
to  his  mercy,  he  saved  us  by  the  washing  of  regener- 
ation and  the  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Chorus. — Unto  Him  that  loved  us  and  washed  us 
from  our  sins  in  his  own  blood,  and  hath  made  us 
unto  our  God,  kings  and  priests  unto  God  and  his  Fa- 
ther, to  him  be  glory  and  dominion  for  ever  and  ever ! 

Doubt. — They  do  not  return  unto  the  Lord  their 
God,  nor  seek  him  for  all  this.  There  is  no  fear  of 
God  before  their  eyes. 

Faith. — Jesus  said,  I  came  not  to  call  the  righteous, 
but  sinners  to  repentance.  I  am  sought  of  them 
which  asked  not  for  me.  I  am  found  of  them  that 
sought  me  not.  God  so  loved  the  world  that  he  gave 
his  only-begotten  Son.  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him 
should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life. 

Chorus. — How  beautiful  upon  the  mountains  are 
the  feet  of  him  that  bringeth  good  tidings,  that  pul)- 
lisheth  peace,  that  bringeth  good  tidings  of  good,  that 
publisheth  salvation,  that  saith  unto  Zion,  Thy  God 
reigneth ! 

Faith. — Behold,  there  shall  come  from  far,  and  lo, 
these  fi'om  the  north  and  from  the  west,  and  these 
from  the  land  of  Sinim. 

Doubt. — Can  the  Ethiopian  change  his  skin  or  the 
leopard  his  spots,  that  they  may  also  do  good  that  are 
accustomed  to  do  evil  ? 

Faith. — A  new  heart  will  I  give  you,  and  a  now 
spirit  will  I  put  within  you,  and  I  will  take  away  the 
stony  heart  out  of  your  flesh,  and  will  give  you  a 
heart  of  flesh. 

Doubt. — Who  hath  believed  our  report,  and  to  whom 
is  the  arm  of  the  Lord  revealed? 


liESl'OMSlVE   kp:ai>1i\gs.  ol 

Faith. -lie  shall  not  fail  nor  be  discouraged  till  lie 
hath  set  judgment  in  the  earth.  The  isles  shall  wait 
for  his  law.  The  pleasure  of  the  Lord  shall  prosper 
in  his  hand.  He  shall  see  of  the  travail  of  his  soul, 
and  shall  be  satisfied. 

Chorus. — There  was  given  unto  him  dominion  and 
glory  and  a  kingdom,  that  all  people,  nations  and 
languages  should  serve  him.  His  dominion  is  an 
everlasting  dominion  which  shall  not  pass  away,  and 
his  kingdom  that  which  shall  not  be  destroyed. 

A  Single  Voice. — What,  then,  shall  we  say  to  these 
things  ?  If  God  be  for  us,  who  can  be  against  us  ? 
Jesus  said  repentance  and  remission  of  sins  should 
be  preached  in  his  name  among  all  nations. 

Doubt. — How,  then,  shall  the}^  call  on  Him  in  whom 
they  have  not  believed,  and  how  shall  they  believe  in 
Him  of  whom  they  have  not  heard,  and  how  shall 
they  hear  without  a  preacher,  and  how  shall  they 
preach  except  they  be  sent? 

Faith. — Jesus  said,  As  the  Father  has  sent  me,  even 
so  send  I  you.  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach 
the  gospel  to  every  creature.  Ye  sliall  receive  power 
after  that  the  Holy  Ghost  is  come  upon  you,  and  ye 
shall  be  witnesses  unto  me,  both  in  Jerusalem  and  in 
all  Judaea  and  in  Samaria,  and  unto  the  uttermost 
parts  of  the  earth. 

Chorus. — Therefore,  seeing  we  have  this  ministry, 
we  faint  not,  for  the  weapons  of  our  warfare  are 
not  carnal,  but  mighty  through  God  to  the  pulling 
down  of  the  strongholds  of  Satan.  Blessed  be  the 
liOrd  God,  the  God  of  Israel,  who  only  doeth  won- 
drous things.  Blessed  be  his  glorious  name  for  ever, 
and  let  the  whole  earth  be  filled  with  his  glory.  Amen 
and  Amen. 


ILLUSTRATIVE  BAND-MEETING. 


Synopsis  of  an  Illustrative  Band- Meeting,  given  at  the 
Twelfth  Annual  Meeting  of  the  W.  F.  M.  S. 

[The  exercises  occupied  one  hour,  and  were  participated  in  by 
seventeen  young  ladies  and  six  children.  All  the  facts  used  in 
preparing  the  papers,  etc.  were  drawn  from  The  Foreign  Mission- 
ary,  Woman's  Work  for  Woman,  Children's  Woric  for  Children,  and 
Dr.  H.  H.  Jessup's  books.] 

Arranged  by  Mrs.  R.  H.  Allen. 

Leader  read  Psalm  67. 

All  rose  and  sang,  "  Praise  God  from  wliom,"  etc., 
without  announcement,  and  repeated  the  Lord's 
Prayer  in  concert  while  standing. 

Minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read. 

(^Motion  to  approve  made  and  seconded,  and  vote 
taken  upon  the  minutes. 

Treasurer's  report,  (Motion  to  accept,  and  vote 
taken  as  before.) 

Librarian's  report.     (Vote  taken.) 

Leader  asked,  "Is  there  any  unfinished  business? 
Any  new  business?" 

Two  verses  of  a  hymn,  "  Rejoice  and  be  glad,"  were 
sung. 

Leader  announced  the  subject  of  the  meeting  thus  : 
"  As  our  subject  is  Syria,  we  will  have  a  Bible-reading 
that  will  briefly  sketch  over  two  thousand  years  in  its 
history,  remembering  that  in  O.-T.  times  Syria,  Phoe- 
nicia and  Palestine,  or  the  Land  of  Canaan,  were  three 
distinct  ])rovinces.  Syria,  as  then  so  called,  lay  east 
of  the    Lel)anun    Mountains,   witli    Damascus   as   its 


ILLUSTRATIVE   liAND-MEPTriNG.  83 

capital.  The  country  now  called  Syria  includes  these 
three  provinces."     (See  p;ige  28.) 

Leader. — "  We  will  now  consider  ourselves  a  com- 
pany of  missionaries  going  to  Syria  under  the  guidance 
of  Miss ,  who  will  show  us  the  way." 

A  member  then  showed  the  route  by  means  of  a 
map  of  the  world,  and  described  some  of  the  sights  by 
the  way. 

After  landing  at  Beirut  the  Leader  asked  :  "  What 
missionaries  will  meet  us  here  ?" 

Answered  by  a  member. 

The  Leader  said,  "We  will  now  hear  something  of 
the  Physical  Features  of  Syria.'''' 

A  member,  with  the  aid  of  a  map  of  Syria,  described 
in  about  two  minutes  the  chief  physical  character- 
istics, also  mentioning  tlie  varieties  of  climate,  of  fruit, 
etc.  The  journey  was  then  pursued  to  the  other  four 
stations  of  our  Board  in  turn,  the  mode  of  traveling, 
the  length  of  time  occupied  and  the  character  of  the 
country  passed  through  being  mentioned.  As  each 
station  was  reached  the  Leader  inquired,  "  What  mis- 
sionaries are  here  ?"  and  the  answers  were  given  by 
different  members.  At  Zahleh  the  question  was  asked, 
"  Are  there  any  missionary  babies  here?"  and  answered 
by  a  child. 

A  member  read  a  paper  on  the  Hidory  and  Goverii- 
ment  of  Syria,  occupying  two  minutes. 

An  Arab  boatman's  song  was  sung  by  a  member. 

A  paper  on  the  People  of  Syria,  about  two  minutes 
long,  was  read. 

Leader. — "  In  one  evening  we  cannot  visit  all  of  the 
cities  of  Syria,  but  we  will  hear  about  three  remark- 
able ones  from  three  of  the  children." 

Three  cliildren  about  eight  or  ten  years  of  age  then 
successively  pointed  out  Damascus,  Tyre  and  Antioch 

3 


34  MISSIONAKV    EXEKCISKS. 

on  the  niaj),  and  gave  a  short,  simple  sketch  of  wch 
in  child-like  language. 

A  paper  on  the  Work  of  our  Board  in  Syria  was  read, 
occupying  three  or  four  minutes. 

One  verse  of  "  The  whole  wide  world  for  Jesus  " 
was  sung. 

Leader. — "  The  questions  given  at  our  last  meeting 
will  now  be  answered  by  the  members  to  whom  they 
were  assigned." 

The  Secretary  read  the  questions,  as  follows : 

1.  Why  is  it  more  difficult  to  make  a  convert  from 
Mohammedanism  than  from  any  other  religion? 

2.  What  remarkable  work  is  being  done  by  the 
Printing- Press  at  Beirut? 

3.  Does  Syria  sustain  important  relations  to  any 
European  country  ? 

4.  Are  there  railroads,  telegraph-lines  or  other 
"  modern  improvements  "  in  Syria  ? 

Leader. — "We  will  now  hear  any  items  that  have 
been  gathered  during  the  month  by  the  item-gath- 
erers." 

One  about  the  "  Syrian  Boys  "  (see  page  45)  wnb 
given  by  a  little  boy  four  years  old.  Others,  entitled 
"  Two  Girls  of  Safita  "  and  "  The  Grand  Mosque  of 
Damascus,"  were  given  by  members. 

The  Leader  then  announced  the  collection,  and 
while  it  was  being  taken,  a  recitation,  "  Missionary 
Music,"  was  given  by  a  little  boy. 

The  Leader  then  opened  the  Question-Box,  and 
answered  the  questions  she  found  there. 

These  were  as  follows : 

1,  Do  the  Mohammedans  have  Koran  societies  as 
we  have  Bible  societies? 

2.  Wliat  does  Has  Beirut  mean  ? 

13.  Is   it  true  that  a  strict  Mohammedan  will    not 


ILIJJSTRATIVK    r.AND-MKF/riNCi.  dO 

\iave  his  likeness  taken  nor  have  a  picture  in  his 
house  ? 

A  composition  written  hy  a  Httle  African  girl  in  a 
mission-school  was  then  read  by  a  member.  (See 
Foreign  Missionary,  May,  1882.) 

The  Programme  Committee  announced  a  programme 
for  the  next  meeting,  recommending  that  the  study  of 
Syria  be  continued,  and  assigning  to  diflferent  mem- 
bers the  following  subjects  for  papers,  etc. :  Some  ac- 
count of  the  life  of  Mrs.  Sarah  L.  Smith,  one  of  the  early 
missionaries ;  some  information  about  the  young  ladies 
now  connected  with  the  Syria  mission ;  description  of 
the  last  commencement  in  the Sidon School;  sketch  of 
the  Beirut  Seminary  and  the  Protestant  College ;  Bi- 
ble scenes  in  Bethlehem  and  description  of  modern 
Bethlehem.  Questions. — Who  translated  the  Bible  into 
Arabic,  and  how  long  did  it  take?  What  kind  of 
currency  is  used  in  Syria?  Where  is  there  a  great 
Mohammedan  college  containing  ten  thousand  stu- 
dents ?  The  choir  to  furnish  one  special  piece  of  music, 
a  story  to  be  read  by  a  member,  and  items  from  the 
it  em -gatherers  as  usual.  This  programme  was  adopted, 
and  the  meeting  was  closed  by  singing  the  "  Mission- 
ary Hymn,"  with  recitation  by  a  member. 


LIST  OF  SUBJECTS  FOR  MEETINGS. 


SUGGESTIONS  FOR  STUDY  IN  YOUNG  LADIES- 
BANDS. 

Superstitions  of  the  Heathen. 

The  Heaven  of  the  Heathen. 

Missionary  Ships  (the  first  one  sent  out  by  the  IMo- 
ravians  in  1748). 

The  birthplace  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.  ("Mission 
Park,"  Williamstown,  Mass.). 

How  the  Heathen  Pray. 

Condition  of  Widows  in  India. 

Tlie  Caste,  System. 

The  Missionary  Hymn  ("  From  Greenland's  icy 
mountains"),  and  how  it  came  to  be  written. 

The  First  Band  of  Missionaries  who  left  the  U.  S. 
for  a  Heathen  Land. 

The  Story  of  the  Baptism  of  over  Seventeen  Hun- 
dred Hawaiian  Converts  at  the  same  time. 

Our  Mission-Schools. 

Remarkable  Answers  to  Prayer  in  Missionary  Work. 

Life  of  Bishop  Patterson. 

Life  of  Harriet  Newell. 

Lives  of  the  Mrs.  Judsons. 

Life  of  Livingstone. 

Miss  Rankin's  Work  in  Mexico. 

Funeral  Ceremonies  in  Heatlien  Lands. 

History  of  Madagascar. 

36 


LLST    OF  SUJUKCTK    FOR    MEETF^IGS.  37 


[The  following  will  show  the  importance  of  preserving  the  bai-k 
uinubers  of  magazines  for  reference.] 

EELATING  TO  WOMAN'S  WOKK. 

"The  Proportion  of  Women- Workers  to  Heathen 
Women  in  China,"  Woman^s  Work  for  Woman,  Feb., 
•79,  p.  40. 

"  The  Woman-Phase  in  California,"  Ibid.,  Nov.,  '78, 
p.  306. 

"  An  Incident  at  Tokio,"  Ibid.,  March,  '77,  p.  7. 

"The  Work  Blessed  in  India,"  Ibid.,  March  '77, 
p.  13. 

"A  Missionary  Society  at  Woodstock,"  Ibid.,  July, 
'78,  p.  191. 

"  At  Chieng-mai,  Laos  Mission,  Siam,"  Ibid.,  Nov., 
78,  p.  309 

"At  Soochow,  China,"  Ibid.,  Sept.,  '78,  p.  256. 

"A  Christian  Woman's  Home,"  Ibid.,  March,  '78, 
p.  73. 

"One  of  those  Helped,"  Ibid.,  May,  '78,  p.  120. 

"  Miss  McBeth  among  the  Nez  Perces,"  Ibid.,  July, 
'79,  p.  222. 

"Miss  Hennequin's  Letter  from  Mexico,"  Ibid., 
March,  '79,  p.  81. 

"Tours  in  Persia,"  Ibid.,  March,  '79,  p.  99. 

"  Among  the  Moslem  Women,"  Ibid.,  Dec,  '80, 
p.  407. 

"  Testimony  of  the  Earl  of  Shaftesbury  about  the 
Needs  of  Women  in  India,"  Ibid.,  Feb.,  '80,  p.  57. 

Additional  references  may  be  found  in  the  Foreign 
Missi-onary,  July,  '72,  p.  53;  Life  and  Light  for  May, 
'78,  p  136 ;  Oct.,  79,  p.  353 ;  Nov.,  79,  p.  411. 

30 


38  MISSIONARY    EXKIK'ISRS. 


MEDICAL  MISSIONS. 


"The  Need  of  Medical  Missions,"  For.  Miss.,  April, 
'81,  p.  481. 

"  Medical  Work  in  India,"  W.  W.  for  If.,  March, 
77,  p.  1. 

"  An  Appeal,"  Ibid.,  July,  '81,  p.  231. 

"  Scenes  in  Africa,"  lAJe  of  George  Paid,  pp.  188  and 
190. 

"Scenes  in  Persia,"  W.  W.for  W.,  Jan.,  '82,  p.  14. 

"A  Medical  Missionary  in  China,"  Ibid.,  June,  '78, 
p.  156. 

"  Dr.  Hepburn's  Dispensary  at  Yokohama,"  Ch.  W. 
f(yr  Ch.,  April,  '77,  p.  54. 

"An  Account  of  the  Great  Need  in  Siam  "  may  be 
found  in  Siam,  the  Land  of  the  }Vhite  Elephant,  by  Geo. 
H.  Bacon ;  otlier  articles  are  in  Miss.  Herald,  for  May, 
'81,  p.  193 ;  Monthly  Record,  for  July,  '80 ;  Miss.  Her., 
May,  '81,  p.  192;  W.  W.for  W.,  March,  '81,  p.  81 ;  Feb., 
'81,  p.  40,  China ;  and  May,  '81,  p.  149,  Siam. 

SOME  CURIOUS  DOINGS, 
Recorded  in  "  Children's  Work  for  Children  J' 

"  Incense-bearers   in  Soochow,  China,"  March,  '76, 
p.  42. 
"  A  Chinese  Bellringer,"  June,  '79,  p.  88. 
"  Spirit  Services  in  China,"  Feb.,  '78,  p.  25. 
"  Pilgrims  at  Benares,  India,"  April,  '76,  p.  56. 
"  Sewing  in  India,"  Aug.,  '76,  p.  116. 
"  A  Brahmin  Worshiper,"  Jan.,  '77,  p.  13. 
"  Trial  by  Ordeal  in  India,"  June,  '78,  p.  84. 
"  Caste  in  India,"  April,  '82,  p.  58. 
"  A  Japanese  Ride,"  Sept.,  '77,  p.  132. 
"  Tlie  Shoes  of  Syrian  Boys,"  Dec,  '77,  p.  178. 
"  Calf- Worship  among  the  Druses,"  Sept.,  '78,  p.  130. 


LIfST    OF   SUBJECTS    FOR    MEETINGS.  39 

"  The  Mussulman  at  Prayer,"  Dec,  78,  p.  184. 

"A  Mohammedan  School,"  Jan.,  '77,  p.  1. 

"  The  White  Ants  in  Siam,"  Jan.,  '77,  p.  1. 

"  An  Elephant's  Funeral  in  Siam,"  March,  '78,  p.  38. 

"  Butter-making  in  Brazil,"  Aug.,  '78,  p.  122. 

ABSUEDITIES  OF  HEATHENISM. 

"Adventures  of  Puss  in  Heathendom,"  Ch.  W.  for 
Ch.,  Jan.,  '81,  p.  10. 
"  Japanese   Praying-Machine,"  Ibid.,  Sept.,  '80,  p. 

"  A  New  God,"  Ibid.,  Feb.,  '81,  p.  26. 

"  An  Ancestral  Hall  in  China,  Ibid.,  July,  '81,  p.  104. 

"  An  Indian  Medicine-Man,"  Ibid.,  July,  '81,  p.  108. 

"  A  Chinese  Idol,"  Ibid.,  April,  '79,  p.  58. 

"  Praying  in  Persia,"  Ibid.,  July.  '79,  p.  110. 


MISSIONARY  MAP-MAKING. 


[The  following  will  give  an  idea  of  missionary  map-making.] 

MISS  HARVEY'S  BAND. 

They  were  very  busy :  the  map  of  South  America 
must  be  ready  before  the  next  meeting,  and  to  add  to 
their  excitement  the  meeting  was  to  be  public ;  all  the 
fathers  and  mothers  were  coming  to  learn  what  was 
going  on  in  South  America. 

"  It  is  big,''^  said  Will,  the  artist,  looking  with  re- 
spect on  the  country  spread  out  before  him,  and  get- 
ting ready  to  transfer  it  with  all  care  to  his  square  of 
muslin. 

"  Yes,  and  Brazil  is  big,"  said  Nellie ;  "  it  takes  the 
place  in  South  America  that  the  United  States  do  in 
North  America." 

"  That  proves  that  your  item  is  from  Brazil,"  said 
Will ;  and  he  began  to  make  graceful  little  lines  on 
the  muslin. 

"  How  many  people  for  Brazil  ?     Who  knows  ?" 

"  Eleven  millions,"  said  one ;  "  Twelve  millions," 
said  another;  "Halfway  between,"  said  a  third  ;  and 
Will  declared  that  the  ''  weight  of  testimony"  was  i'or 
twelve  millions ;  so  he  set  the  number  down  at  that. 

"  Now,  go  ahead. — What  town  do  3'-ou  want  put. 
down,  Nellie  Stuart?" 

"  Rio  Janeiro,  down  there  on  the  bay,"  said  Nellie. 
"  And,  Will,  you  must  put  a  church  there,  and  date 
it  1862 — that's  the  first  Protestant  church — and  i)ut 
down  two  people.    That's  the  number  with  which  they 

started  ;  make  a  dash,  so ,  and  put  three  hundred 

•1(1 


MI.SSIONAUV    MAl'-MAKINfi.  41 

after  the  figure  2.  There  are  m,ore  than  three  hundred 
of  them  now,  but  I'll  put  it  at  that." 

"  Done!"  said  Will,  finishing  his  spire  with  a  flour- 
ish.    "  Go  ahead. — Annie  Lewis,  what  do  you  want  ?" 

"Another  church,"  said  Annie,  "  at  San  Paulo, 
and  — " 

"Hold  on!  Where's  that?  Oh,  I  see:  it  is  not 
more  than  half  an  inch  away  from  Rio  Janeiro. 
What's  your  date?" 

"  1865.  Six  marks  for  the  first  members.  I  don't 
know  how  many  now,  but  you  may  put  three  or  four 
stars  around  the  spire,  for  they  have  sent  out  as  many 
ministers  from  that  little  church." 

"  I  want  a  hand  beckoning  from  Ubatuba,"  de- 
clared Fanny  Shaw ;  "  they  want  missionaries  to 
come  there  and  teach  them.  They  are  begging  for 
them." 

"A  hand  beckoning  ?"  said  Will,  stopping  his  pen- 
cil in  dismay.  "  I  don't  believe  I  can  do  it,  but  I'll 
try  ;  here  it  goes !  It  has  seven  or  eight  fingers,  and 
looks  as  though  it  had  the  palsy." 

"  I  guess  I'll  have  a  head  shaking  for  '  No,'  "  said 
Arthur  Wilson  with  a  laugh ;  "  for  they  didn't  send 
them  any  missionary ;  they  hadn't  money  enough. 
Isn't  that  awful?" 

"  Put  an  open  Bible  for  me,"  said  Willie  Stearns, 
"in  that  same  Ubatuba;  I  want  it  to  stand  for  an 
old  lady  who  had  never  heard  of  it  until  she  was 
seventy-five  years  old,  Now  she  has  one  of  her  own, 
and  keeps  it  '  open '  too.  I'm  going  to  tell  at  the 
meeting  how  she  asked  one  of  the  missionaries  who 
visited  there  this  question  :  '  How  is  it  that  you  knew 
the  good  news  so  long  before  you  came  to  tell  us?' " 

"  I  don't  know  how  to  mark  my  item,  said  Car- 
rie Stuart.     "  It  is  aliout  a  man  who  carried  a  Bilile 


42  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

to  one  of  those  coast-villages ;  he  didn't  believe  in 
the  Bible,  but  he  took  it  there,  and  eight  families  met 
together  and  read  it,  and  were  all  converted.  Then 
the  man  was  so  astonished  at  the  change  in  them  that 
he  began  to  read  the  Bible  for  liimself,  and  he  was 
converted." 

"That's  queer,"  said  Will.  "If  I  could  make  a 
man  with  his  eyes  shut  holding  out  a  light  for  others 
to  see  by,  I  would." 

This  delighted  tlie  Band,  and  they  insisted  on  the 
young  artist  attempting  just  that  thing ;  and  although 
he  declared  that  there  ought  to  be  a  signboard  put 
beside  him,  reading,  "  This  is  a  man,"  the  Band  said 
that  they  all  knew  what  it  meant,  and  Carrie  Stuart 
could  explain  it  to  the  grown  folks  at  the  meeting. 

"  I  don't  see  why  they  don't  make  geography  maps 
more  like  ours,"  little  Edna  said,  leaning  over  and 
gazing  admiringly  at  Will's  efforts ;  "  they  M^ould  l)e 
ever  so  interesting." 

"Lucky  they  don't!"  said  the  artist  wiping  his 
forehead ;  "  there  would  be  no  more  geographies 
printed." 

How  hard  they  worked  over  that  map,  there  were 
so  many  items  of  interest,  and  each  one  had  a  scheme 
of  his  own  which  he  was  determined  to  carry  out ! 
They  would  not  give  Will  any  time  to  "touch  up" 
his  magnificent  Ama5;on  River,  and  as  for  the  Brazil- 
ian mountains,  he  complained  that  they  would  be  mis- 
taken for  brush-heaps,  because  he  had  to  work  so  fast. 

But  you  ought  to  have  seen  it  when  it  was  done, 
each  member  of  the  Band  having  given  an  item  and 
had  it  marked  in  some  way.  A  curious  map  it  was, 
certainly ;  bright-colored  paints  had  been  used,  and 
lighted  candles  stood  for  Sabbath -schools  and  day- 
Bchools,  and  open  Bibles  were  numerous,  and  a  cJu.s- 


MISSIONAKV    MAP-MAKING.  43 

ter  of  marks,  standing  I'or  little  children,  had  a  chain 
at  their  feet  all  broken  to  pieces ;  this  to  picture  the 
fact  that  no  more  children  are  born  slaves. 

I'll  tell  you  something  better  than  to  have  seen  it 
let  your  Band  set  at  once  to  work  and  make  one  like 
it     It  is  great  fun,  besides  being  very  useful. 

The  Par.sy. 


ILLUSTRATIONS  FOR  ITEM-GATHERERS. 


SHOWING  HOW  ITEMS  MAY  BE  GATHERED. 

A  LONELY   MISSIONARY  PENNY. 

A  PENNY,  telling  its  story  in  the  Juvenile  Missionary 
Magazine^  gives  a  glimpse  of  its  missionary  experience 
as  follows : 

"  But  mine  was  a  new  box,  and  I  was  the  first  piece 
of  money  to  be  put  into  it.  There  had  been  an  annual 
missionary  meeting  that  very  day,  and  a  little  girl  had 
brought  the  box  home  with  her  and  placed  it  on  the 
mantelpiece,  and  then  had  put  in  her  first  penny.  I 
was  that  penny,  and  I  do  hope  you  will  pity  me.  / 
pity  the  first  penny  or  the  first  shilling,  or  the  first  of 
any  sort,  that  is  put  into  a  missionary-box.  Just 
think  how  dreadfully  lonel}'  it  is  !  We  do  not  mind 
the  dark — we  are  used  to  it,  for  we  generally  live  in 
people's  purses  and  pockets — but  we  do  like  being 
together,  having  always  been  accustomed  to  one 
another's  society.  I  hope  that  all  who  put  us  into 
missionary-boxes  will  remember  this :  Never  put  in 
one  of  a  kind  without  quickly  putting  in  another,  if 
only  for  company's  sake.  If  somebody  puts  in  a 
shilling,  never  rest  till  you  have  got  another  shilling. 
If  Aunt  Mary  gives  you  half  a  crown,  coax  Uncle 
John  or  Aunt  Eliza  to  give  it  a  companion.  And  do 
that  for  every  sixpenny,  fourpenny,  threepenny  and 
penny  piece  that  you  get.  See  that  every  fresh  arrival 
gets  its  fellow,  and  this  will  help  you  wonderfully  to 
fill  your  box.  Noah's  ark  was  soon  filled,  because 
there  went  in  two  of  every  sort." 
•11 


ILLUSTltATlONS    FOK    ITEM-GATHEREKS.  45 

WHAT  A   LITTLE  BOY'S  MITE-BOX  ACCOMPLISHED. 

A  LITTLE  boy,  three  years  old,  sent  the  contents  of 
a  mite-box,  eleven  dollars,  to  Rev.  Gerald  F.  Dale  of 
Syria.  The  results  of  that  very  juvenile  seed-sowing 
are  as  follows :  1.  A  Bible  for  the  Baalbec  Hotel.  2. 
A  large  reference  Bil)le  for  a  friendly  Greek  priest  in  a 
neighboring  village.  3.  A  reference  Bible  for  an  influ- 
ential Greek  inquirer.  4.  The  traveling  expenses  of  a 
little  orphan  girl  on  muleback  from  her  mountain- 
home  to  the  Sidon  Seminary,  5.  A  reference  Bible  for 
a  fatherless  girl  in  one  of  the  schools.  6.  A  pocket 
Testament  for  a  Avatchman  in  a  vineyard  who  has 
leisure  to  read.  7.  A  pocket  Testament  for  a  man 
whose  fellow-villagers  ■  are  so  bigoted  that  no  direct 
niission-Avork  can  be  done  among  them.  8.  A  family 
Bible  for  a  man  of  leading  influence  in  another  vil- 
lage. 9.  A  hymn-book  for  a  Christian  girl  living  in 
Damascus.  10.  A  reference  Bible  for  a  man  who  had 
voluntarily  aided  in  the  distribution  of  Testaments. 

11.  A  Bible  for  the  use  of  a  school  and  prayer-meeting. 

12.  Four  Testaments  for  poor  children  who  are  unable 
to  purchase.  13.  A  pocket  Testament  for  a  man  whose 
business  keeps  him  constantly  in  the  saddle.  14. 
Several  copies  of  sermons  for  general  circulation. 

SYKIAN   BOYS. 

Recitation  for  a  very  Small  Boy. 

I  KNOW  something  funny  about  the  Syrian  bo\^s. 
When  they  go  to  school  they  take  off  their  shoes  and 
leave  them  outside  the  door,  but  they  keep  their  capa 
on.  Sometimes  there  are  a  hundred  shoes  all  in  a  big 
pile ;  and  when  school  is  over  the  boys  all  rush  out 
and  kick  and  pull  to  find  their  own  shoes ;  and  some- 
times they  scream  and  fight  and  throw  each   other 


46  MISSIONARY    EXKKC'ISES. 

down,  and  tlie  teacher  has  to  come  out  with  his  stick 
and  stop  the  noise.  And  in  school  the  boys  all  sit  on 
the  floor  and  study  out  loud.  They  rock  themselves 
back  and  forth,  and  try  to  see  which  can  scream  the 
loudest,  for  if  one  of  them  stops  the  teacher  whacks 
him  with  his  stick. 


THE  SHIP  AND  THE  CHILDREN. 

There  was  once  a  great  ship,  tall  and  beautiful,  just 
finished  and  ready  to  be  launched.  This  ship  was  to 
sail  away  over  the  blue  ocean  to  carry  bread  to  some 
hungry  people  who  were  starving  for  food.  But,  alas  ! 
the  workmen  found  they  could- not  move  her  into  the 
water,  though  they  pushed  with  all  their  might.  So 
the  men  of  the  place  came  down  to  help,  and  they  all 
pushed  and  pushed,  and  moved  the  great  ship  just  a 
little,  and  then  she  stopped.  Then  the  women  came  to 
help,  and  the  men  and  the  women  gave  a  mighty  push 
all  together,  and  the  ship  moved  slowly  down  to  the 
very  edge  of  the  water,  and  there  she  stojoped  and 
would  not  go  an  inch  farther.  So  they  did  not  know 
what  to  do,  until  one  wise  woman  said,  "  Call  the 
children  to  help."  And  so  they  did,  and  the  girls  and 
boys  came  gladly  running  to  do  their  part,  for  they 
felt  sorry  for  the  poor  starving  people  beyond  the 
ocean.  Then  the  men  and  the  women  and  the  chil- 
dren pushed  together  with  all  their  might,  and  be- 
hold !  the  tall,  stately  ship  moved  off  into  the  water 
with  her  white  sails  spread,  and  sailed  away  over  the 
blue  sea  to  curry  the  bread  of  life  to  the  perishing 
heathen ;  and  the  Lord  who  was  the  owner  of  the  ship 
looked  on  well  pleased  and  said,  "  Even  a  child  is 
known  by  his  doings,  whether  liis  work  be  pure  and 
whether  it  l^e  ritiht." 


ILLUSTRATIONS    FOPw    rrKM-GATIIERERS.  47 

BAKING    BABIES. 

A  MISSIONARY  in  India  visited  a  house  one  day 
where  there  was  a  new-born  baby,  which  was  about 
the  color  of  a  pink  sea-shell.  "  How  pretty  !"said  the 
visitor  to  the  mother.  "Oh,"  was  the  reply,  "she'll 
be  black,  like  the  rest  of  us,  after  I  harve  put  her  out 
in  the  sun  for  a  few  days."  And  sure  enough,  when 
the  next  call  was  made  the  poor  baby  was  found 
baking  in  the  hot  Indian  sun,  stretched  on  a  bit  of 
board,  with  only  a  piece  of  cotton  cloth  under  its 
head  for  a  pillow.  Its  body  had  been  first  smeared  with 
mustard-oil,  according  to  the  strange  fashion  in  that 
land.  The  mothers  are  much  surprised  to  learn  that 
American  cliildren  are  not  treated  in  the  same  way. 

A  LITTLE  MISSIONARY. 
There  was  a  little  shepherd-boy  in  a  village  east  of 
Sidon  who  learned  the  gospel  in  his  village.  When  he 
went  out  with  his  flock  to  the  mountains  he  preached 
to  the  shepherds  and  goatherds,  and  begged  them  to 
obey  the  gospel,  to  give  up  lying  and  swearing,  and  to 
love  the  Saviour.  One  day  he  came  down  to  his  teach- 
er in  the  village  and  said,  "I'm  Sidi,  these  shepherds 
won't  hear  the  gospel.  But  one  of  them  will.  I  fast- 
ened to  km  and  would  not  give  him  up,  and  now  he 
liKes  to  hear." 


DIALOGUES  AND  EXERCISES. 


ON  INDIA. 


[Tais  exercise  was  given  by  a  Band  which  comprises  the  whole 
Sunday-school,  and  was  so  constructed  that  all  members  of  the 
school  had  some  sliare  in  it.  The  questions  were  given  out  at  one 
meeting,  to  be  answered  at  the  next,  each  class  having  a  question, 
which  they,  rising,  answered  in  concert.  Care  was  taken  that  the 
answers  should  be  as  brief  and  comprehensive  as  possibk.  The 
president  of  the  Band,  who  is  Superintendent  of  the  school,  con- 
ducted the  exercise.  The  relative  position  of  this  country  and 
India  was  shown  on  a  globe,  and  upon  large  maps  journeys  were 
traced  and  all  places  mentioned  pointed  out.] 

1.  In  which  of  the  grand  divisions  of  the  world  is 
India? 

2.  How  would  you  reach  India  going  east  ? 

3.  How  would  you  reach  it  going  west  ? 

4.  How  is  it  bounded  ? 

5.  How  large  is  it,  compared  with  the  United  States  ? 

6.  What  high  mountain  north  of  India?  What  is 
its  height,  and  how  does  it  compare  with  other  moun- 
tains of  the  world  ? 

7.  What  are  the  principal  rivers  of  India? 

8.  Which  is  the  Hindoos'  sacred  river? 

[After  this  question  was  answered,  a  boy  repeated  a  paragraph 
taken  from  Miss  Brittan's  Talks  about  India,  p.  205,  concerning  the 
Ganges.] 

9.  What  are  some  of  the  chief  cities  of  India? 

10.  Which  city  do  the  Hindoos  consider  peculiarly 
sacred  ? 

[Here  a  little  girl  gave  a  sliort  account,  taken  from  Dr.  Prime's 
Around  the  World,  p.  2.')8,  of  the  superstitious  reverence  tlip  Min- 
ts 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISER.  49 

iloos  have  for  Benares.     Another  little  girl  recited  Mrs.  Tilden's 
hymn, 

"  Behold  the  nations  kneeling 
'Neath  far-off  Eastern  skies  !"  etc. 

Then  the  whole  congregation  joined  in  singing  the  iirst  and  third 
verses  of  "From  Greenland's  icy  mountains."] 

11.  What  is  the  climate  of  India? 

12.  What  are  some  of  the  productions  ? 

13.  What  is  the  population  ? 

[Several  little  boys  gave  short  items  concerning  the  people  of 
India,  their  dress,  mode  of  living,  etc.] 

14.  How  many  languages  are  spoken  in  India? 

15.  What  are  the  classic  languages — the  ones  in 
which  the  sacred  books  are  written  ? 

16.  How  long  ago  is  it  supposed  the  oldest  of  these 
books  were  written? 

17.  When  did  India  first  appear  in  authentic 
history? 

18.  What  European  power  controls  India,  and  how 
did  it  obtain  that  control  ? 

[This  was  answered  by  the  Assistant  Superintendent,  and  took 
the  form  of  a  short  address.  It  having  been  ascertained  that  he 
wonld  have  something  to  say  about  the  rise  and  fall  of  dynasties 
and  kingdoms,  he  was  asked  to  close  his  remarks  in  such  a  way  as 
to  render  appropriate  the  vei-se, 

"  Crowns  and  thrones  may  perish, 
Kingdoms  rise  and  wane,"  etc., 

"  Onward,  Christian  Soldiers,"  verse  3, 

wiiich  was  sung  by  all  present.] 

19.  What  is  caste? 

20  What  are  the  principal  religions  of  India,  and 
tlieir  characteristics? 

21.  How  many  gods  have  the  Hindoos  ? 

■[ 


no  ^rissroNAUY  kxercises. 

22.  Wliat  is  the  name  of  their  chief  idol,  and  what 
does  it  mean  ? 

23.  What  are  some  of  the  things  Hindoos  do  to 
gain  the  favor  of  their  gods  ? 

[A  very  little  girl  repeated, 

"  Behold  the  heathen  waits  to  know 
The  joy  the  gospel  will  bestow, 
The  exiled  captive  to  receive 
The  freedom  Jesus  has  to  give." 

A  young  lady  sang, 

"  Tell  me  the  story  of  Jesus, 
Write  on  my  heart  every  wonl. ' 

Quiver,  p.  52.] 

24.  What  Mission  Boards  are  represented  in  India? 

25.  What  are  the  names  of  some  of  the  first  Amer- 
ican missionaries  who  went  to  India  ? 

26.  Where  are  the  mission-stations  of  our  Presby- 
terian Church  ? 

27.  In  what  city  is  the  school  to  which  thix  Band 
annually  contributes  ? 

[This  was  answered  by  the  smallest  class  in  school ;  one  of  the 
little  girls  of  the  class,  coming  forward,  pointed  to  the  place  on  the 
map,  and  then  gave  a  short  description  of  it.  A  young  lady  read 
p.art  of  a  letter  from  the  teacher  of  the  school,  giving  an  encour- 
aging account  of  the  work  there.     Then  all  joiued  in  singing, 

"  Hear  the  news,  glad  news  of  Jesus  : 
He  is  coming  now  this  way." 

Crownirig  Triumph,  p.  63.] 

28.  How  do  Missionaries  work  among  the  people  of 
India,  and  what  progress  has  been  made? 

[This  was  answered  by  the  pastor  in  a  little  speecli,  summing  up 
the  whole  exercise.] 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXEKCISKS.  61 

SYRIA. 

A  Dialogue  for  Five  Little  (7  wis. 

Emma. — I  nearly  always  like  to  study  and  hear 
about  the  different  countries  that  we  ha\'e  every  month 
in  our  Mission-Band,  but  I  must  say  I  think  Syria  is 
so  dull ;  I  do  not  know  anything  about  it. 

Beatrice. — Perhaps  that  is  just  the  reason  you  find 
it  dull.  Why,  it  is  the  very  country  where  Jesus  was 
horn  and  lived,  to  which  the  wise  men  came  from  the 
East.  I  have  been  reading  about  it,  and  I  think  it 
just  wonderful. 

Em. — Do  you  ?  Tell  us  about  it,  please.  1  do  not 
know  even  how  far  it  is,  nor  how  one  would  get 
there. 

Ada. — Is  it  a  very  large  country  ?  And  how  are 
the  people  different  from  us? 

Bea. — Well,  girls,  do  not  ask  so  many  questions  at 
once,  and  I  will  try  to  tell  you  tlie  little  I  know. 
Syria  is  about  as  large  as  Ohio,  and  it  is  nearly  a 
third  of  the  distance  around  the  world  from  Cincin- 
nati to  Jerusalem. 

Lidu. — I  suppose  if  you  wanted  to  go  there  you 
would  have  to  cross  the  ocean  to  Europe  or  France, 
take  steamer  there,  and  go  to  Alexandria  in  Egypt, 
and  fi-om  there  go  by  steamer  again  to  Syria ;  at  least 
that  would  be  one  way. 

Bea. — Just  think,  girls  !  It  is  the  oldest  country  in 
the  world,  and  you  all  know  that  Damascus  is  the 
oldest  city.  Why,  it  is  four  thousand  years  old,  and 
B0IT.3  say  that  a  grandson  of  Noah  founded  it! 

Lu. — Oh,  I  know  about  Damascus.  There  is  where 
Naaman  the  leper  lived,  that  great  captain  whose  wife 
had  a  little  Jewish  captive  maiden  to  wait  on  her,  and 
she  told  him  to  go  to  Elisha,  a  prophet  in  hfr  own 


52  MISSIONARY   EXERCISES. 

countr}',  and  he  would  tell  him  how  to  be  cuicd.  He 
went,  and  Elisha  told  him  to  wash  in  the  river  Jordan 
seven  times  and  he  would  be  well.  At  first,  you 
know,  he  would  not,  because  he  said  the  rivers  of 
Damascus  were  so  much  better,  but  afterward  he  went 
and  got  perfectly  cured. 

Ada. — Why,  is  Damascus  in  Syria  ? 

Bea. — Yes  indeed,  and  Tyre  and  Sidon,  Antioch. 
Beirut,  and  others  that  I  do  not  know  so  much 
about. 

Gertrude. — Was  it  not  at  Damascus  that  Paul  was 
let  down  in  a  basket  from  a  window  by  night  when  he 
wanted  to  escape  from  the  Jews  ? 

Bea. — Yes.  Many  of  the  houses  are  made  of  mud 
baked  hard  and  white  in  the  sun,  and  some  of  them 
are  built  on  the  Avail  that  surrounds  the  city ;  so,  you 
see,  they  could  easily  have  let  him  down  from  one  of 
these. 

Lu. — And  the  street  called  Straight  is  still  there, 
although  most  of  the  streets  are  crooked,  narrow  and 
dirty.  The  shops  are  called  bazaars,  and  are  so  small 
that  the  shopkeepers  put  the  articles  they  wish  to  sell 
outside  on  the  street,  and  then  sit  down  among  them 
and  wait  for  buyers. 

Ada. — It  must  be  funny  to  see  tlie  second  stories  of 
the  houses  built  ])artly  over  the  streets;  they  must 
seem  dark  and  crowded. 

Em. — But  they  have  such  beautiful  gardens  and 
some  fine  stone  buildings.  Does  it  not  seem  dreadful 
that  the  Mohammedans  should  own  this  beautiful 
city,  and  nearly  all  the  people  be  followers  of  the 
prophet  Mohammed? 

Bea. — But  the  missionaries  have  schools  there,  And 
the  parents  let  their  children  come  to  learn  English 
and  to  sew  and  emln'oider.     A  gentleman  said  that  as 


DIALOOUKS    AND    EXKKCISES.  53 

lie  was  walking  along  the  street  one  day  lie  heard  a 
child's  voice  singing,  "  Come  to  Jesus ;"  he  stopped  in 
astonishment,  and  he  said  he  could  not  keep  the  tears 
of  pleasure  back  to  hear  that  sung  there.  So,  you 
see,  they  learn  in  the  school  our  own  Sunday-school 
hymns. 

Ger. — And  just  think,  girls,  the  very  first  time  that 
the  name  "  Christian "  was  given  was  at  Antioch  ! 
Don't  you  remember  it  says  in  Acts,  "  And  the  disci- 
ples were  first  called  Christians  at  Antioch  "  ?  Don't 
it  seem  strange  when  there  are  so  few  Christians  there 
now  ? 

Tai. — I  think  Tyre  is  so  wonderful.  You  know  it  is 
on  the  sea-coast,  and  part  of  it  was  built  on  an  island 
and  part  on  the  land.  It  was  a  great,  wicked  city — 
so  rich  that  it  sent  its  ships  all  over  the  then  known 
world,  and  people  came  from  a  great  distance  to  buy 
many  things  there.  Why,  everybody  knew  about 
Tyre  as  we  know  about  London  or  New  York. 

Em. — And  yet  in  Ezekiel  it  says  it  should  ])e 
flcstroyed,  and  should  never  be  any  more. 

Ada. — And  has  it  come  true?  Is  there  no  city 
there  now? 

Bed. — No,  only  a  small  place  ;  its  fishermen  have 
only  a  few  poor  boats,  and  in  the  places  where  stood 
its  beautiful  palaces  they  say  it  is  as  bare  as  the  toj) 
of  a  rock,  and  the  fishermen  spread  their  nets  to  dry 
on  what  is  left  of  its  great  walls. 

Ada. — And  it  says,  too,  in  Ezekiel,  something  about 
"  scraping  her  dust  from  her,  and  making  her  like  the 
top  of  a  rock;"  and  it  says,  "It  shall  be  a  place  for 
the  spreading  of  nets  in  the  midst  of  the  sea." 

Em. — I  remember,  girls,  that  Hiram,  king  of  Tyre, 
sold  cedars  of  Lebanon  to  King  David  and  King 
Solomon  to  use  in  building  tlic  temple. 


54  MISSIONARY    KXKUrl.SES. 

Ger. — Do  you  know,  girls,  that  now  they  look  u^ion 
the  mountains  of  Lebanon  as  holy,  and  there  are  two 
hundred  monasteries  built  on  them,  where  ten  thou- 
sand priests  live? 

Em. — What  I  want  to  know  is,  do  the  people  who 
live  there  now  know  about  the  disciples  and  the  won- 
derful things  that  happened  there?  and  do  they  love 
and  read  the  Bible? 

Bea. — Not  many  of  them  do,  and  they  have  been 
taught  by  the  missionaries.  The  saltan  of  Turkey 
rules  Syria  now,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  people 
are  Mohammedans,  who  study  and  believe  only  the 
Koran ;  they  call  us  infidels,  and  are  very  bitter 
against  us,  but  not  so  bad  as  they  used  to  be. 

Ada. — And  then  in  this  very  land,  where  Jesus  was 
born,  lived  and  was  crucified,  perhaps  they  will  learn 
to  love  him. 

Lu. — Well,  let  us  all  pray  for  the  missionaries  there, 
and  help  them  in  every  way  we  can. 

Em. — Do  you  suppose  that  the  little  girls  and  boys 
in  Bethlehem  know  that  Jesus  was  born  there? 

Ger. — Not  many  of  them  do,  but  three  years  ago 
some  ladies  went  and  started  a  school  there,  and  they 
now  have  from  twenty  to  thirty  little  girls  wliom  they 
teach  about  Jesus  and  his  wonderful  birth.  Don't 
you  think  it  must  be  beautiful  to  see  the  very  places  ? 

Lu. — Yes,  indeed  I  do,  and  I  read  that  they  have 
not  got  a  very  good  place  for  the  school  now,  so  they 
are  going  to  build  a  new  one  near  the  fields  where  the 
shepherds  watched  their  flocks  that  Christmas  Night 
when  the  angel  came  and  told  them  that  Jesus  was 
born. 

Bea. — Well,  now,  Emma,  don't  you  feel  more  interest 
in  Syria,  and  would  you  not  like  to  help  those  people 
to  know  more  about  Jesus  ? 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXEIM'lSi:s,  OO 

Em. — Yes,  indeed  I  do ;  and  I  mean  to  find  out  a 
great  deal  more  about  it,  and  do  all  one  little  girl  can 
to  bring  about  the  glorious  time  when  all  shall  know 
Jesus,  from  the  least  to  the  greatest. 


COLLECTING  FOR  MISSIONS. 

A  Dialogue. 

[Several  young  ladies  seated  around  the  tal)lo,  representing  a 
women's  missionary  meeting;  three  young  girls  acting  as  solicitors 
for  the  mission  cause;  one  very  small  child;  Mrs.  A.,  President; 
Mrs.  D.,  Treasurer.] 

Mrs.  A. — The  only  business  before  the  meeting  is 
the  report  of  our  solicitors. 

Mrs.  B. — I  think  it  is  quite  time  we  should  transfer 
some  of  our  mission-work  to  younger  hands. 

Mrs.  E. — You  do  not  tire  of  mission-work? 

Mrs.  B. — Oh  no,  indeed,  but  we  have  to  admit  that 
we  are  growing  older  every  day,  and  it  is  well  for  us 
to  train  our  young  friends,  so  that  they  may  take  our 
places  by  and  by. 

Mrs.  A. — While  we  are  waiting,  let  us  see  if  little 
Lizzie  has  her  recitation  nicely  learned  for  the  next 
mission  concert. 

Mrs.  D. — Put  her  up  in  a  chair,  she  is  such  a  little 
midge. 

Mrs.  A.  {lifting  Lizzie  into  a  chair). — Now,  Lizzie 
dear,  speak  slow  and  clear,  so  all  can  hear. 

Idzzie. — I  am  a  very  little  thing,  as  you  can  plainly  see ; 

But  then  I  know  who  came  to  bring  God's  gift  of  love  to  me. 

When  I  am  well  I  know  who  makes  my  life  so  fair  and 

bright ; 
When  I  am  sick  I  know  who  takes  care  of  me  day  and 

niffht. 


56  MISSIONARY    EXEKCISKS. 

And  wlieni  die  I  know  wliose  liaiul  will  lead  my  soul  away 
Through  death's  dark  valley  to  the  land  where  it  is  always 
day. 

Just  such  little  girls  as  I  live  over  the  ocean  wave : 

They  do  not  know  who  came  to  die  a  sinful  world  to  save. 

Poor    little    heathen! — Friends,  I    pray   that    you    will 

quickly  go, 
Or  send  somebody,  right  away,  to  tell  them — cdl  I  know. 

Mrs.  A.  (taking  Lizzie  down). — That's  Lizzie's  mission- 
offering.  I  think  if  Jesus  were  here  he  would  say, 
"  She  hath  done  what  she  could." 

Mrs.  C. — Here  come  our  young  solicitors,  Alice, 
Carrie  and  Susie.     (They  enter.) 

The  Ladies. — Good-evening,  girls. 

Girls. — Good-evening,  ladies. 

Mrs.  B. — I  hope  you  bring  us  heaps  of  money,  and 
that  you  have  enjoyed  making  the  calls. 

Alice. — We  really  have  enjoyed  them,  though  in 
various  ways.     Shall  we  tell  our  experience? 

Mrs.  A. — Yes,  if  you  please. 

Carrie. — First,  we  called  on  Mrs.  Brisk.  Th:it  visit 
was  finished  in  a  hurry,  I  assure  you.  "  Missionary- 
offering?"  said  she.  "Oh,  yes  indeed  !  walk  right  in. 
It's  all  counted  out.  I  thought  you'd  be  along  soon. 
Here  it  is ;  I  can't  say  I  wish  it  was  more,  because  it's 
just  according  to  my  means,  and  the  Lord  has  the 
regtJating  of  them.  I  won't  ask  you  to  sit  down,  for 
I  suppose  you've  ever  so  many  places  to  go  to ;  besides, 
I'm  busy  as  a  bee  m3'self."  So  off'  she  flew,  and  we 
walked  off",  having  obtained  that  dollar  in  less  time 
than  I  have  taken  to  tell  of  it. 

Mrs.  M. — Where  next? 

Susie. — We  went  in  succession  to  Mrs.  Kindly's,  Mrs. 


l)IAL(XiUES    AND    EXEUCLSES.  57 

Allnght's  and  Mrs.  Ready's.  They  each  had  a  plea- 
sant word  for  us,  and  cheerfully  gave  their  contri- 
butions. 

Cairie. — Mrs.  Kindly  said  it  was  very  good  in  us  to 
go  around  in  this  way  and  save  people  the  trouble  of 
sending  in  their  money.  Hei'e  are  their  gifts — three, 
five  and  two  dollars.  Now,  Alice,  you  tell  the  next 
story.     {Giving  moneij  to  Mrs.  D.) 

Alice. — Are  we  to  relate  all  our  experience,  good  or 
bad? 

Mrs.  B. — We'd  like  to  know  it  all. 

Alice. — Well,  then,  our  next  visit  was  to  Mrs.  Splen- 
did. "  Mission-vaoney  ?"  said  she.  "  What  mission  ?" 
"  For  our  mission-school,"  we  told  her.  "  What  mis- 
sion-school ?"  So  I  told  her  about  our  mission-school 
in  India  that  we  have  supported  so  many  years — of 
the  wonderful  good  it  has  accomplished,  and  of  the 
work  it  is  now  doing,  and  how  glad  we  were  to  he  the 
means  of  carrying  it  on.  I  thought  I  was  really 
making  such  a  moving  speech. 

Carrie. — It  proved  so;  Mrs.  Splendid  very  stiffly 
replied,  "  I  have  many  ways  for  my  money,  young 
ladies;  I  have  nothing  for  you  to-day."  And  she 
moved  in  and  we  moved  out.  Just  think  of  it! 
Such  lots  of  money  as  Mrs.  Splendid  has !  and  how 
she  dresses ! 

Mrs.  C. — Hush !  hush !  my  dear.  Here,  girls,  is  a 
lesson  for  you :  When  you  meet  with  such  rebuffs, 
take  them  in  a  gentle  spirit.  Don't  allow  yourself  to 
judge  hastily,  but  try  to  feel  kindly  toward  those  who 
seem  selfish  and  ungenerous,  and  then  dismiss  them 
utterly  from  your  thoughts  as  quickly  as  Mrs.  Splen- 
did sent  you  from  her  door. 

Susie. — Can't  we  call  her  "Mrs.  S^a6&^,"  just  among 
•urselves  ? 


58  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

Mrs.  A. — "  Not  a  bit  of  it,"  as  you  girls  say.  Say 
nothing  at  all  about  her. 

Alice. — Then  we  went  to  see  lame  Jennie.  We 
didn't  think  she  ought  to  give  anything,  she  is  so 
poor;  but  Susie  said  we  would  go  in  and  tell  her 
what  we  were  doing. 

Mrs.  E. — Poor,  patient  little  sufferer !  what  had  slie 
to  say  ? 

Carrie. — She  clapped  her  little  thin  hands  and  said 
she  was  so  glad  we  had  come.  She  had  been  think- 
ing so  much,  since  she  cannot  go  to  church  and  Sun- 
day-school any  more,  of  the  heathen  children  who 
never  had  any  church  or  Sunday-school,  and  who 
never  heard  the  ''  Suffer  little  children  "  that  Jesus 
said ;  and  of  the  poor  little  lame  heathen  sufferers 
who  never  heard  of  the  land  where  "  the  inhabitants 
shall  not  say,  '  I  am  sick,' " 

Mrs.  B. — But  of  course  you  did  not  ask  her  to  give 
you  anything? 

Susie. — "Ask  her?"  We  hadn't  the  chance.  She 
said  at  once,  "You  must  have  my  mission-offering, 
only  you  will  need  to  wait  while  I  go  to  the  bank 
for  it," 

Mrs.  0. — "  Go  to  the  bank,"  when  she  cannot  walk 
a  step  ? 

Alice. — Yes,  she  took  her  little  tin  "  savings  bank," 
and  made  believe  knock  at  the  door.  "Any  money 
for  me  to-day?"  she  said. — "  How  much  do  you  want  ?' 
she  made  believe  come  in  a  gruff  voice  from  within. — 
•'  Fifty  cents,"  said  she. — "  What  do  you  want  it  for?" 
in  the  same  deep  voice. — "  For  my  missionary-offer- 
ing," said  Jennie. — "  Yes,  yes  !  here  it  is ;  come  down 
the  chimney  and  get  it."  (You  know  we  have  fo  turn 
the  pennies  out  a*  the  chimney-toj).)  So  she  counted 
them  out  and  gave  them  to  us. 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISES.  59 

Carrie. — I  asked  if  she  wouldn't  need  it  for  some- 
thing. She  said  No ;  it  was  given  her  for  candy-mon- 
ey, but  if  she  liked  missionary-candy  better  than  mo- 
lasses-candy, she  thought  she  should  have  her  choice. 

Mrs.  D. — We  don't  need  to  tell  you  to  learn  a  lesson 
fi'om  her  sweet,  self-denying  spirit. 

Susie. — No,  I  think  not.  We  were  intending  to  buy 
each  a  new  ribbon  ;  we  had  been  choosing  between  blue 
and  pink.  As  we  came  out,  Alice  said,  "  Girls,  how 
would  missionary-ribbon  suit  you?"  We  took  the 
hint,  and  all  decided  to  have  just  that  color.  {Hand- 
ing the  price  of  the  ribbon  to  Mrs.  D.) 

Alice. — As  we  are  indebted  to  Jennie  for  the  exam- 
])le,  we  think  the  money  should  be  credited  to  her. 

Mrs.  ^.— That  is  just  right.  She  will  be  so  happy 
to  know  that  her  simple  example  influenced  you  in  so 
good  a  way. 

Mrs.  B. — Did  you  call  on  Mrs.  Dillydally  ? 

Carrie. — Yes,  ma'am.  She  said,  "  Well,  she'd  see ; 
she  didn't  know.  How  much'd  the  deacon's  wife  give  ? 
How  much'd  the  pastor's  wife  give?  For  her  part, 
seemed  to  her  there  was  always  something  coming- 
missions  or  something.  We  might  call  again  ;  she'd 
see." 

Mrs.  C— And  Mrs.  Sharp? 

Susie. — Oh  yes  !  She  said,  "  Mr.  Sharp  gave  enougli, 
goodness  knows !  She  couldn't  be  bothered  ;"  and  she 
said  her  good-morniug  to  us  as  quickly  as  Mrs.  Brisk, 
but  oh,  in  such  a  different  tone ! 

Mrs.  D. — Here  are  five  dollars  more  than  your  list 
of  names  accounts  for.     How  is  that  ? 

Alice. — I'll  tell  you  ;  it  was  so  funny  !  We  saw  Mr. 
Cross  coming  down  the  street.  You  know  he  is  ricli 
as  rich  can  be,  but  he  doesn't  believe  in  missions  nor 
Sunday-schools,   nor   anything   of  the   kind.     C'arrie 


60  MISSIONAIIV    EXERCISES. 

Baid,  "  Let's  storm  the  enemy's  fortress  and  see  whai 
we  can  get." 

Carrie. — So  we  bade  him  good-morning,  told  him 
all  about  our  mission-school,  and  politely  asked  him 
for  a  contribution. 

Mrs.  A. — What  did  he  say  ? 

Carrie. — He  lifted  both  hands,  and  rolled  up  his 
eyes,  and  said, 

"  Hark  !  liark  !  hark  !  liear  the  dogs  bark  ! 
The  beggars  are  coming  to  town  !" 

That  roused  me.  I  told  him  we  were  not  "  beggars ;" 
that  we  were  very  young,  but  we  were  learning  to  work 
in  the  mission  cause  because  it  was  a  good  cause,  and 
we  meant  to  do  all  we  could  for  the  heathen  people 
who  are  living  in  sin  and  ignorance,  and  we  would 
thank  him  never  to  call  us  beggars  again. 

Mrs.  E. — I  hope  you  didn't  make  him  angry. 

Alice. — I  guess  not.  He  looked  steadily  at  Carrie, 
as  though  he  was  thinking  of  what  she  had  said.  Then 
the  queer  man  said,  "  Hold  out  your  hands."  We  did 
so,  and  he  dropped  a  penny  into  each  of  them,  saying, 
"  Tliafs  for  your  missions."  Then  he  raised  his  hat 
and  made  a  low  bow  to  Carrie,  and  putting  five  dol- 
lars in  her  hand,  said,  "  Respected  madam,  that  is  for 
your  preach.''^ 

Mrs.  C. — Well  done,  Carrie !  I  never  before  knew  a 
mission  "  preach  "  reach  that  man's  purse.  I  hope 
the  effect  may  be  lasting. 

Mrs.  B. — You  had  Mrs.  Flutter's  name;  what  did 
she  say? 

Susie. — She  said,  "  Deary-me,  no !  She  just  couldn't. 
Everything  was  so  high!  Bad  as  war-times!  Eliza- 
beth Eliza  was  taking  music-lessons,  and,  deary-me 
it  costs  so!     And   Klizalietli  Eliza  must  have  a  new 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISES.  01 

summer  silk,  and  *  Charity  begins  at  home,'  and,  deary- 
me,  she  just  couldn't^    So  she  didn't. 

Alice. — Oh,  but  the  last  place  was  so  different !  Dear 
Grandmother  Elder  gave  her  dollar  with  her  poor, 
trembling  fingers,  and  then  she  talked  to  us  so  sweetly  ! 

Carrie. — Yes ;  she  told  us  how  glad  she  was  that  we 
were  beginning  so  young  to  work  in  the  dear  Lord's 
vineyard.  Then  she  showed  us  a  little  ivory  box  on 
her  shelf,  in  which  she  had  kept  her  mission-money 
for  forty  years. 

Susie. — And  she  said,  "  Next  year,  my  dears,  when 
you  come,  I  don't  think  I  shall  be  here.  I  think  T 
shall  be  in  the  beautiful  city  whose  gates  are  of  pearl. 
But  my  offering  I  shall  leave  in  the  little  box,  aud  you 
may  open  it  and  take  it."  Then  she  blessed  us,  and 
we  came  away. 

Mrs.  D. — Young  ladies,  we  are  highly  gratified  with 
your  report.  You  have  not  only  brought  us  a  good 
sum  of  money,  but  your  experience  has  been  both 
useful  to  yourselves  and  interesting  to  us. 

Mrs.  A. — We  will  now  close  our  meeting  by  singing, 
"  The  whole  wide  world  for  Jesus." — Heathen  Womaiii's 
Friend. 


THE    CHURCH    MILITANT. 

By  Miss  Adelia  Hamilton. 

Leader. — In  what  character  are  we  now  assembled  ? 
School. — As  soldiers  anxious  to  invade  the  country 
of  our  enemy. 

L. — Against  whom  do  we  wage  warfare? 

S. — Against  the  prince  of  this  world. 

L. — For  whom  do  we  fight? 

S. — For  Jesus  Christ,  the  Captain  of  our  salvation. 


02  MISSIONARY    KXKIMJISKS. 

L. — How  must  we  be  equipped  ? 

S. — We  must  take  unto  ourselves  the  whole  armor 
of  God,  that  we  may  be  able  to  withstand  in  the  evil 
day,  and  having  done  all,  to  stand. 

School  sing: 

"  Soldiers  of  Christ,  arise, 
And  put  your  armor  on, 
Strong  in  the  strength  which  God  supplies 

Through  his  eternal  Son  ; 

Strong  in  the  Lord  of  hosts. 

And  in  his  mighty  power, 

Who  in  the  strength  of  Jesus  trusts 

Is  more  than  conqueror." 

L. — How  long  shall  the  contest  continue? 

S. — Till  every  inch  of  the  enemy's  country  is  ouns 
and  the  banner  of  Immanuel  floats  over  the  world. 

L. — How  do  we  know  that  victory  is  certain  ? 

S. — Because  the  Father  has  promised  the  Son  the 
heathen  for  an  inheritance,  and  the  uttermost  i)artB 
of  the  earth  for  a  possession,  that  at  the  name  of  Jesus 
every  knee  shall  bow,  and  every  tongue  confess  that 
Jesus  Christ  is  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father. 

School  sing : 

"  Jesus  shall  reign  where'er  the  sun 
Does  his  successive  journeys  run  ; 
His  kingdom  spread  from  shore  to  shore, 
Till  moons  shall  wax  and  wane  no  more. 

"  To  him  shall  endless  prayer  be  made, 
And  endless  praises  crown  his  head  ; 
His  name  like  sweet  perfume  shall  rise 
With  every  morning  sacrifice." 

L. — Where  has  our  great  enemy  his  strongholds  ? 
S. — Wherever  huraiin  footsteps  tread   the   soil — in 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISES.  63 

Greeiihmd  or  in  Lapland,  in  the  cold,  bleak  wastes  of 
Siberia  and  the  hot,  barren  desert  of  Sahara,  as  well  as 
in  some  of  the  fairest  portions  of  God's  heritage,  where 
the  tall  palm  tree  waves  its  graceful  branches  and 
tropical  fruits  and  flowers  lade  the  air  with  their  per- 
fume, where  birds  in  endless  variety  flit  about  on  wings 
of  rainbow  hue,  and  Nature  keeps  perpetual  holiday. 

School  sing : 

"  From  Greenland's  icy  mountains, 
From  India's  coral  strand ; 
Where  Afric's  sunny  fountains 
Roll  down  their  golden  sand  ; 
From  many  an  ancient  river, 

From  many  a  palmy  plain, — 
They  call  us  to  deliver 

Their  land  from  error's  chain." 

L."  If  we  cannot  personally  join  in  the  combat  on  a 
lorelgn  soil,  how  can  we  help  on  the  invasion  ? 

S. — By  securing  recruits,  by  contributing  supplies, 
and  by  following  the  invading  army  with  our  prayers. 

L. — Mention  some  who  thus  aid  in  conquering  this 
world  for  Christ. 

S. — The  scholar  who  denies  himself  a  pleasure  that 
he  may  place  the  price  in  the  Lord's  treasury ;  the 
poor  widow  who,  having  not  even  the  two  mites  to  be- 
stow, gives  her  prayers;  and  all  who  hush  nature's 
repinings  that  they  may  send  their  bravest  and  best 
to  the  battle. 

School  sing : 

"  Come,  let  us  with  a  grateful  heart 
In  this  great  labor  share  a  part ; 
Our  prayers  and  offerings  gladly  bring 
To  aid  the  triumphs  of  our  Kint;." 


64  MISSION  A  KV    KXKRCISKS. 

L. — By  what  name  do  we  call  those  who  are  s€nt 
out  to  this  work? 

S. — Missionaries. 

L. — Who  were  the  first  Christian  missionaries? 

S. — The  apostles. 

L. — When  and  where  was  the  first  great  battle 
fought? 

-S'. — In  Jerusalem,  on  the  day  of  Pentecost. 

i.— With  what  result? 

S. — A  glorious  victory. 

L. — How  many  were  ransomed  from  the  enemy  ? 

S. — About  three  thousand,  who  immediately  joined 
the  ranks  in  the  army  of  our  Immanuel. 

L. — What  strong  points  are  our  forces  attacking  ? 

S. — Satan's,  wherever  they  are. 

L. — Are  we  gaining  ground  ? 

S. — Thank  God,  we  are !  There  have  been  years  of 
patient  waiting,  when  our  missionaries  have  gone  forth 
weeping,  bearing  precious  seed  to  sow  beside  all  wa- 
ters. They  now  begin  to  come  again  with  rejoicing, 
bringing  their  sheaves  with  them. 

School  sing : 

"  Sow  in  the  morn  thy  seed; 
At  eve  hold  not  thy  hand  ; 
To  doubt  and  fear  give  thou  no  liecd  : 
Broadcast  it  o'er  the  land. 

"  Thou  canst  not  toil  in  vain  ; 
Cold,  heat  and  moist  and  dry 
Shall  foster  and  mature  the  grain 
For  garners  in  the  sky," 

L. — Suppose  it  might  be  given  you  to-night  to  take 
a  peep  in  foreign  lands;  tell  me  some  of  the  scenes 
you  would  select. 

Voice  1. — I   would    ;isk    to   sec   a   home  where  the 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISES.  65 

mother  who  once  threw  her  babes  into  the  Ganges  now 
tocks  them  to  sleep  with  a  cradle-song  about  Jesus. 

Voice  2. — I  would  choose  a  missionary  school  where 
heathen  boys  and  girls,  gathering  around  the  Chris- 
tian teacher,  learn  to  read  the  Bible  each  in  his  owri 
strange  tongue. 

Voice  3. — I  would  like  to  watch  the  bonfires  made 
of  their  burning  idols. 

Voice  Jf-. — I  would  ask  to  see  their  kings  and  queens 
humbly  kneeling  for  Christian  baptism. 

Voice  5. — And  I  would  beg  to  look  forward  through 
the  years  and  see  the  last  sinner  as  he  yields  to  Jesus 
and  tremblingly  prays  for  pardon,  while  friends  and 
neighbors  exultingly  cry,  "  The  dead  is  alive,  the  lost 
is  found  !"  The  kingdoms  of  this  world  have  become 
the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  his  Christ. 

School  sing  : 

"  Then  shall  the  voice  of  singing 
Flow  joyfully  along ; 
Then  hill  and  valley,  ringing 
With  one  triumphant  song, 
Proclaim  the  contest  ended, 

And  He  who  once  was  slain 
Again  to  earth  descended 
In  righteousness  to  reign. 

"  Then  from  the  craggy  mountain.s 

The  sacred  shout  shall  fly, 
And  shady  vales  and  fountains 

Shall  echo  the  reply. 
High  tower  and  lowly*dwelling 

Shall  send  the  chorus  round, 
All  hallelujahs  swelling, 

In  one  eternal  sound." 

[The  above  exercise  is  published  by  Garrigues  Brothers,  Philadelphia,  in 
tract  form,  and  is  inserted  here  by  tlieir  pennisiion.J 
5 


66  MISSION AUY    EXERCISES. 

WORK  FOR  THE  LITTLE  ONES. 

By  Marion  West. 

Iti  Scholar.     We  are  but  little  children  weak, 
Nor  born  in  high  estate; 
What  can  we  do  for  Jesus'  sake, 
Who  is  so  high,  so  good,  so  great? 

We  know  the  holy  innocents 

Laid  down  for  him  their  infant  life. 

And  martyrs  brave  and  patient  saints 
Have  stood  for  him  in  fire  and  strife. 

We  wear  the  cross  they  wore  of  old. 
Our  lips  have  learned  like  vows  to  make : 

We  need  not  die;  we  cannot  fight; 
What  may  we  do  for  Jesus'  sake  ? 

Class  in  concert.  Jesus  said,  Suffer  the  little  children  to  come 
unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not ;  for  of  such 
is  the  kingdom  of  God.  Mark  10  :  14. 

Sd  Sell.  Oh,  day  by  day  each  Christian  child 

Has  much  to  do  without,  within — 
A  death  to  die  for  Jesus'  sake, 
A  weary  war  to  wage  with  sin. 

Sd  Sch.  When  deep  within  our  swelling  breasts 

The  thoughts  of  pride  and  anger  rise, 
When  bitter  words  are  on  our  tongues 
And  tears  of  passion  in  our  eyes. 

Then  we  may  stay  the  angry  blow. 
Then  we  may  check  the  hasty  word, 

Give  gentle  answers  back  again, 
And  fight  a  battle  for  the  Lord. 

Jfth  Sch.  With  smiles  of  peace  and  looks  of  love 

Light  in  our  dwellings  we  may  make, 
Bid  kind  good-humor  brighten  them; 
And  do  all  these  for  Jesus'  sake. 


DJAl.OGUES    AMD    EXERCISES.  67 

5th  Sch.  There's  not  a  child  so  small  and  weak 

But  has  its  little  cross  to  take, 
Its  little  work  of  love  and  praise, 
That  may  be  done  for  Jesus'  sake. 

In  concert.      Whether  therefore  ye  eat  or  drink,  or  whatsoever 
ye  do,  do  a^^to  the  glory  of  God.  1  Cor.  10  :  ol. 

For  Four  very  Little  Ones. 

1st.  God  make  my  life  a  little  light 

Within  the  world  to  glow — 
A  little  flame  that  burneth  bright 
Wherever  I  may  go. 

2d.  God  make  my  life  a  little  flower 

That  giveth  joy  to  all, 
Content  to  bloom  in  native  bower, 
Although  its  place  is  small. 

Sd.  God  make  my  life  a  little  song, 

That  comforteth  the  sad, 
That  helpeth  others  to  be  strong, 
And  makes  the  singer  glad. 

J^h.  God  make  my  life  a  little  hymn 

Of  tenderness  and  praise, 
Of  faith  that  never  waxeth  dim 
In  all  his  wondrous  ways. 

In  concert.      Let  us  love  one  another,  for  love  is  of  God. 
1  John  4  :  7. 

(Let  the  following  be  spoken  by  seven  little  girls,  and  some  one 
in  an  adjoining  room  or  in  the  gallery  echo  the  last  two  words  of 
each  stanza.) 


lit 


If  you've  any  task  to  do, 

Let  me  whisper,  friend,  to  you, 

Doit!     {Echo,  T)o  \i.) 


fi8  MISSIONARY    KXKliOlSES. 

2d.  If  you've  anything  to  say, 

True  and  needed,  yea  or  nay, 

Say  it !     (Echo.) 

Sd.  If  you've  anything  to  love 

As  a  blesjsing  from  above, 

Love  it!     [Echo.) 

4ih.  If  you've  anything  to  give, 

That  another's  joy  may  live. 

Give  it !     [Echo.) 

5th.  If  you  know  what  torch  to  light, 

Guiding  others  through  the  night, 
Light  it!     [Echo.) 

6th.  If  you've  any  debt  to  pay. 

Rest  you  neither  night  nor  day, 

Pay  it!     [Echo.) 

7th.  If  you've  any  grief  to  meet. 

At  the  loving  Father's  feet 

Meet  it!     [Echo.) 

In  concert.  If  ye  know  these  things,  happy  are  ye  if  ye  do 
them.  John  13  :  17. 

One  of  the  class.  How  many  deeds  of  kindness 

A  little  child  may  do. 
Although  it  has  so  little  strength. 

And  little  wisdom  too  1 
It  wants  a  loving  spirit 

Much  mo7'e  than  strength  to  prove 
How  many  things  a  child  may  do 

For  others  by  its  love. 

In  concert.  Even  a  child  is  known  by  its  doings,  whether 
his  work  be  pure,  and  whether  it  be  right. 
Prov.  20  :  11. 

[The  above  exercise  is  published  by  Garrigues  Brotliers,  Philadelphia,  in 
tract  form,  and  is  iuscricd  here  by  their  perniissioD.j 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISES. 


69 


ZION'S  WATCHMAN. 

By  Miss  Adelia  Hamilton. 

Olaea.  O  Zion's  watchman,  is  there  aught 

Of  good  to  hear  or  tell  ? 
How  fares  it  with  our  darkened  world  ? 

Hath  evil  loosed  its  spell? 
Do  the  dark  places  of  the  earth 

Obey,  as  well  as  hear  ? 
Heavy  the  time,  we've  waited  long ; 

Oh  for  some  words  of  cheer  I 


Watchman. ,  The  morning  light  is  breaking, 

The  darkness  disappears ; 
The  sons  of  earth  are  waking 

To  penitential  tears. 
Each  breeze  that  sweeps  the  ocean 

Brings  tidings  from  afar 
Of  nations  in  commotion, 

Prepared  for  Zion's  war. 

Class.  They  say  the  beauteous  rose  still  climba 

On  fair  Damascus'  wall. 
With  breath  as  sweet  as  when  its  cheek 

Flushed  at  the  flight  of  Paul. 
But,  ah !  in  that  historic  clime 

The  Rose  of  Sharon  fair 
'Anew  we  plant,  with  pain  and  toil ; 

How  are  our  laborers  there  ? 


Watchman.     Rich  dews  of  grace  come  o'er  us 

In  many  a  gentle  shower. 
And  brighter  scenes  before  us 

Are  opening  every  hour. 
Each  cry  to  heaven  going 

Abundant  answer  brings. 
And  heavenly  gales  are  blowing, 

With  peace  upon  their  wings. 


70  MIHSIONAKY    EXKRCISES. 

Class.  Brahma  and  Buddha !     Will  their  rule 

Soon  pass  and  cease  to  be? 
And  trusts  the  learned  Brahmin  less 

His  false  philosophy? 
And  strange  old  China — simple,  wise — 

To  pray  does  she  begin  ? 
God  help  our  brethren  who  assail 

Those  ancient  seats  of  sin  ! 


Watchman,     See  heathen  nations  bending 

Before  the  God  of  love, 
And  thousand  hearts  ascending 

In  gratitude  and  love. 
While  sinners,  now  confessing, 

The  gospel  call  obey, 
And  seek  a  Saviour's  blessing, 

A  nation  in  a  day. 

Class.  Where  on  Moriah  curling  rose 

The  smoke  of  sacrifice, 
The  harsh-voiced  Moslem's  call  to  prayer 

Pierces  the  weary  skies. 
Olivet  darkens  at  the  sound. 

And  Kedron  hastes  away ; 
Over  these  hallowed  scenes  how  long 

Must  Islam's  sword  bear  sway  ? 

Watchman.     Blest  river  of  salvation, 

Pursue  thine  onward  way; 
Flow  thou  to  every  nation. 

Nor  in  thy  richness  stay — 
Stay  not,  till  all  the  lowly 

Triumphant  reach  their  home; 
Stay  not,  till  all  the  holy 

Proclaim,  "  The  Lord  is  come." 

[The  above  exercise  is  published  by  Oarrigiies  Brothers,  Philadelphia,  in 
tract  form,  and  is  inaerted  here  by  their  iiermission.] 


DIALOGUES   AND    EXERCISES.  71 

HOW  THE  FLOWEES  WENT  TO  SCHOOL. 

A     CONCERT    EXEECISE. 
By  Mrs.  R.  M.  Tuttle. 

[Persons  :  A  Leader  who  recites,  one  as  "  the  Lily,"  two  tia 
"  Roses,"  others  as  "  Leaves,"  others  as  "  Grasses,"  and  the  Class.] 

Leader  recites. — One  day  all  the  flowers  went  to  school 
in  a  great  garden.  They  chose  one  from  their  own 
number  to  be  the  teacher.  It  was  midsummer,  and 
the  one  chosen  was  the  field  lily.  They  stood  in  their 
places  in  rows,  the  tall  ones  against  the  wall  and  the 
little  ones  close  about  the  feet  of  the  teacher.  She  was 
tall  and  arrayed  in  raiment  of  scarlet  and  gold,  a  far- 
off  cousin  of  the  royal  tribe  of  whom  the  Lord  of  the 
whole  earth  said — 

Class  (bowing  toward  the  Lily). — "  Consider  the  lilies 
of  the  field,  how  they  grow ;  they  toil  not,  neither  do 
they  spin :  and  yet  I  say  unto  you,  That  even  Solomon 
in  all  his  glory  was  not  arrayed  like  one  of  these." 

The  Lily  (taking  her  place). — The  life  given  us  is  the 
life  of  the  grass  of  the  field,  "  which  to-day  is  and  to- 
morrow is  cast  into  the  oven,'  as  it  is  written — 

Class. — "  In  the  morning  it  flourisheth  and  groweth 
up ;  in  the  evening  it  is  cut  down  and  withereth." 

The  Lily. — In  the  great  plan  of  creation  our  life, 
though  brief  and  little,  has  a  place  and  a  purpose — 

Class. — "All  thy  works  shall  praise  thee,  0  Lord  !" — 

The  lAly. — "  To  comfort  man,  to  whisper  hope 
Whene'er  his  faith  grows  dim; 
For  whoso  careth  for  the  flowers 
Will  much  more  care  for  him." 

Glass. — "Blessed  are  they  that  do  his  command- 
ments." 

The  Lily. — Into  our  life  of  blossoming  are  pressed 


72  MISSIONARY    KXRROFSKS. 

hours  of  sunshine,  nights  of  dew,  days  of  shade  and 
showers  of  rain.  The  law  for  all  things  created  is  the 
same :  "  Give  as  ye  have  received,"  as  it  is  written — 
Class. — Freely  ye  have  received — freely  give. 
The  Lily. — We  have  a  part  in  making  the  summer 
beautiful  and  sweet  over  the  great,  wide  earth.  We 
are  to  give  of  the  riches  of  our  brightness  and  frag- 
rance ;  give 

As  the  sun  hath  sliiiied  on  us, 
As  tlie  rain  hath  rained  on  us, 
/  As  the  dew  hath  freshened  us, 

As  the  sliade  hatli  shadowed  us. 

We  are  to  give  of  such  as  we  have,  as  it  is  written — 
Class. — "  Give  ...  of  such  things  as  ye  have." 
Leader  recites. — Then  began  such  a  buzzing  as  bees 
make  when  the  orchards  are  in  full  blossom,  the  green 
leaves  whispered  so  loud  (here  the  children  give  the 
Kindergarten  hum  of  bees,  ending  at  a  sign  from  the 
Leader  in  sudden  silence),  saying — 

The  Leaves. — What  can  we  do  to  make  the  summer- 
time over  the  great,  wide  earth  more  lovely  and  sweet? 
The  Lily. — Grow  in  your  places  and  make  shadow — 
The  Grasses  (bowing  to  the  Leaves). — "  For  the  sun 
is  no  sooner  risen  with  a  burning  heat  but  it  withereth 
the  grass,  and  the  flower  thereof  falleth  and  the  grace 
of  the  fashion  of  it  perislieth."  As  a  well  and  a  palm 
in  the  desert,  so  is  your  shadow  to  us.  Oh  grow  and 
make  shade. 

Leader  recites. — The  leaves  shook  hands  each  with 
'its  neighbor,  being  in  the  right  way  (here  each  child 
quickl)'  shakes  hands  with  the  next),  and  went  on, 
just  making  shadow,  weaving  a  veil  to  hide  tlie 
))rightness  of  the  face  of  summer,  while  the  grasses, 
loAv  at  the  feet  of  the  lily,  murmured — 

The  Grasses.—Oh,  what  can  we  do  to  make  the  sum- 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXJCKCISES.  73 

n.er-time  over  the  great,  wide  earth  sweeter  for  our 
being  here? 

The  Lily. — Though  least  of  all  of  us,  your  work  is 
greatest.  Ye  are  first  in  spring-time  and  the  last  in 
iiutumn,  weaving  for  the  brown  clods  of  earth  a  velvet 
cover  whose  softness,  color  and  fragrance  no  art  can 
match. 

The  Grasses. — Oh,  but  it's  such  a  little  thing,  just  to 
he  grasses,  to  be  trodden  on,  and  only  to  grow  green- 
ness ! 

The  Lily. — Without  grass  the  herds  of  cattle  would 
perish  that  add  to  the  life  and  comfort  of  the  children 
of  men,  the  roots  of  many  herbs  would  die,  and  there 
would  be  no  pleasant  fields  where  the  strawberries 
could  hide  away  their  ripeness. 

Lender  recites. — The  grasses  being  comforted,  they 
just  went  on  weaving  their  matchless  mat  for  the  feet 
of  Summer  as  she  went  her  way  over  the  great,  wide 
earth. 

And  here  two  rose  trees  thrilled  from  bud  to  blos- 
som. Throwing  off  their  mantles  of  green,  the  one 
blushed  pink  and  the  other  blanched  white.  But  they 
lifted  up  their  voices  as  one : 

The  Roses. — Oh,  what  can  we  do  to  make  the  sum- 
mer-time sweeter  over  the  great,  wide  earth  ? 

The  Lily. — Just  blossom  where  you  are ;  open  your 
hearts  and  give  to  the  sun  and  wind  the  rose-smells 
treasured  there ;  and  the  summer-time  over  the  great, 
wide  earth  will  be  the  sweeter  for  your  blossoming. 

The  Roses. — But  our  hearts  will  break  when  we  open 
wide  our  blossoms  and  give  to  the  sun  and  wind  the 
riches  of  the  rose-smells  treasured  there. 

Class. — "Freely  ye  have  received — freely  give." 
•*  There  is  that  scattereth  and  yet  increaseth." 

Leader  recites. — As  the  roses  in  a  devotion  of  bios- 


74  MISSIONARY    KXEHOISKS, 

somiiig  poured  uut  their  treasures  of  sweetness,  a  hand 
reached  into  the  garden  and  gathered  with  a  sharp- 
cutting  steel  a  bunch  of  the  most  perfect  rose-blooms. 
Every  rose  tree,  standing  in  its  place  in  the  garden, 
shook  with  trembling  as  the  roses  were  severed  from 
the  boughs  where  they  grew  to  give  joy  in  some  place 
afar  off.  But  the  whole  garden  was  filled  with  the 
rarest  smell  of  roses. 

Class. — When  Mary  anointed  the  feet  of  the  Lord 
of  the  whole  earth  with  the  spikenard  very  precious, 
the  house  was  filled  with  the  odor  of  the  ointment. 

The  Idly. — The  w'ounded  stem  may  bleed  and  the 
branch  may  suffer  loss,  but  it  is  great  honor  to  be 
chosen.  Because  ye  gave  praiseful  growth  and  bloom 
and  sweetness  in  your  places,  it  is  joy  to  be  cliosen  tc 
go  to  make  other  places  glad  that  are  far  away.  It  is 
to  be  like  the  Lord  of  the  whole  earth,  who  gave  his 
life  for  the  children  of  men,  and  who  said — 

Class. — "  I  am  the  Rose  of  Sharon  and  the  Lily-of- 
the-valley." 

The  Lily. — The  sweetness  and  beauty  which  become 
inwrought  and  broidered  into  character  live  for  eter- 
nity, while  tlie  blossom  whose  seed  matures  reproduces 
its  like  for  time  only.  Choose  to  be  sent  on  Love's 
errands.  Choose  to  give  your  life  that  you  may  save 
it,  and  become  immortal,  as  it  is  written — 

Class. — "  Whosoever  shall  lose  his  life  for  my  sake, 
shall  find  it." 

All  recite. — "  It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  re- 
ceive;" and  we  choose,  if  so  we  may  be  chosen,  to  be 
the  "  cut  flowers  "  of  the  garden ;  to  be  severed  from 
the  stem  that  holds  us  to  the  home-place;  to  obey  the 
voice  of  the  Lord  of  the  whole  earth,  who  saith,  "Go 
ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature."     We  choose  to  be  sent  on  his  errands  into 


DIAHKiUES    AND    EXERCISES.  75 

chambers  foul  with  the  breath  of  sickness  or  dark  with 
the  gloom  of  sorrow ;  to  whisper  hope  to  the  hopeless ; 
to  cheer  the  desolate  whose  lives  have  lost  color  by 
walking  too  long  in  the  shadow.     We  choose  to  give — 

As  the  sun  hath  shined  on  us, 
As  the  rain  hath  rained  on  us, 
As  the  dew  hath  freshened  us, 
As  the  shade  hath  sliadowed  us — 

to  make  the  summer-time  over  the  great,  wide  earth 
full  of  beauty,  until  every  place  near  by  shall  be  bright 
and  sweet,  and  every  waste  and  desert  place  afar  off 
shall  rejoice  and  blossom  as  the  rose. 


CHIMES  IN  MANY  TONGUES. 

First. — The  first  purely  native  Christian  pastor  in 
Japan,  educated  in  his  own  country,  is  Mura  Kami 
San,  who  was  ordained  in  November,  1877.  He  is  not 
an  English  scholar,  but  is  well  educated  in  Chinese. 
He  is  a  patient,  even-going,  able  and  devoted  minis- 
ter. He  first  became  interested  in  Christianity  by  a 
book  on  Christian  evidences  written  in  Chinese  by  Dr. 
Martin.  The  next  impulse  was  from  the  organ  play- 
ing in  the  chapel  and  the  singing  in  Chinese  of  the 
hymn — 

[Sivg.)  "  To-day  the  Saviour  calls 

Ye  wanderers  home ; 
O  ye  benighted  souls, 
Why  longer  roam  ?" 

Second. — The  day  is  still  and  calm  in  the  land  of 
Mohammed,  and  your  surprised  ear  hears  a  familiar 
melody  tliat  it  has  heard  in  many  an  assembly  in 
your  own   country,  Christian  America.      It  is  three 


76  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

hundred  Mohammedan  girls  singing   Ray   Palmer's 
precious  hymn — 

{Sing.)  "  My  faith  looks  up  to  thee, 

Thou  Lamb  of  Calvary, 

Saviour  divine ; 
Now  hear  me  while  I  pray : 
Take  all  my  guilt  away, 
Oh,  let  me  from  this  day 
Be  wholly  thine." 

Third. — Go  with  me  to  South  Africa,  to  the  little 
village  of  Umzumbi  in  Natal.  Men  and  women  are 
coming  in  every  direction  from  their  rude  huts  toward 
the  mission-school  building,  where  the  weekly  singing 
is  held  with  pupils  and  people  on  the  verandah.  They 
were  wild  Zulus  a  few  months  or  years  ago.  They  are 
bright,  inquiring  musical  Zulus  now.  They  patiently 
drill  for  an  hour  in  their  own  language  on  the  songs 
and  hymns  the  teacher  has  taught  them.  "The  hour 
is  ended,"  she  says.  Then  a  clamor  of  voices  is  heard, 
begging,  "  Izama  elinye  e  English  nikosazana,  please  " 
("  Sing  one  hymn  in  English,  princess,  please  ")•  Given 
their  choice,  they  fix  upon  a  favorite,  and,  led  by  her 
clear  voice,  the  whole  company,  old  and  young,  sing 
in  mixed  Zulu  and  English — 

(Sing.)      "  Oh  think  of  a  home  over  there, 

By  the  side  of  tlie  river  of  light, 
Where  the  saints  all  immortal  and  fair 
Are  robed  in  their  garments  of  white. 

Cho.:    "  Over  there,  over  there;  oh,  think  of  a  home  over 
there ; 
Over  there,  over  there ;  oh,  think  of  a  home  over 
there." 

Fourth. — Would  you  like  to  attend  a  New  Year's 
watch-meeting   among   the   Dakota   Indians?     They 


DIALOGUES    AND    KXEKC^SES.  77 

luive  stores  of  good  things  to  eat,  a  cedar  tree  for  gifts 
and  a  northern  giant,  the  Indian  St.  Nicholas,  to  dis- 
tribute presents  among  the  children.  They  join  in 
prayer  with  Good  Thunder  and  Big  Eagle,  listen  to 
exhortations  from  Mr.  Appearing-Flute  and  Wind- 
8 pear,  and  are  stirred  up  in  regard  to  the  missionary 
contribution  by  Mr.  Black  Lightning.  They  spend  a 
night  of  joy,  of  prayer  and  of  good  resolutions  for  the 
year  to  come.  Then,  as  it  becomes  daylight,  before 
the  pastors  and  deacons  go  round  shaking  hands  with 
every  one,  they  all  join  in  singing — 

{/Sing.)         "  Ho !  my  comrades,  see  the  signal 
Waving  in  the  sky  ! 
Reinforcements  now  appearing, 
Victory  is  nigh ! 

Qio. :         "  '  Hold  the  fort,  for  I  am  coming,' 
Jesus  signals  still ; 
Wave  the  answer  back  to  heaven, 
*  By  thy  grace  we  will ' " 

Fifth. — We  are  in  Oroomiah,  Persia.  Yonder  is 
the  chapel  of  the  girls'  boarding-school,  where  Sun- 
day-school is  being  held.  Let  us  enter.  Be  careful 
not  to  stumble  over  these  fifty  pairs  of  shoes  around 
the  door  outside.  Within  we  meet  a  cordial  welcome 
from  the  teacher  as  pilgrims  from  her  own  loved 
America.  The  owners  of  the  fifty  pairs  of  shoes  are 
all  sitting  on  the  floor,  singing  with  earnestness  in 
tlieir  native  Syriac — 

(aS^ti^.)      "  Come  to  the  Saviour,  make  no  delay: 

Here  in  his  word  he's  shown  us  the  way  ; 
Here  in  our  raidst  he's  standing  to-day, 
Tenderly  ssiyin^',  '  Come  !' 


78  MISSIONARY    EXKIICISKS. 

Cho. :    "  Joyful,  joyful  will  the  meeting  be, 

When  from  sin  our  hearts  are  pure  and  free ; 
And  we  shall  gather,  Saviour,  with  thee 
In  our  eternal  home." 

Sixth. — The  good  ship  Morning  Star,  bought  by  the 
Sunday-schools  of  America,  is,  among  the  many  war- 
ships of  Christendom,  one  of  the  few  dedicated  to  the 
spread  of  the  gospel  of  peace.  Captain  Bray  writes 
that  last  summer,  while  navigating  among  the  won- 
derful islands  and  shoals  of  the  Micronesian  mission, 
stopping  as  nearly  as  possible  at  the  doors  of  the  mis- 
sionaries in  the  various  groups  to  leave  them  supplies 
and  news,  they  anchored  one  evening  just  off  a  point 
in  the  lagoon,  between  two  parties  of  natives  who  had 
been  at  war  seven  months.  Lying  at  anchor,  till  morn- 
ing should  again  make  it  safe  to  go  on,  at  intervals 
through  the  night  they  heard  the  reports  and  saw  the 
flashes  of  the  opposing  guns.  Some  missionaries  were 
on  board  the  Morning  Star — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haind — ■ 
going  from  one  station  to  another,  As  the  rising  sun 
glittered  on  the  waves  that  wash  those  islands  of  the 
far  South  Pacific,  these  two  Christians  took  their  Bibles 
and  went  on  shore.  They  first  found  the  party  oppos- 
ing the  king,  and  after  some  talk  two  of  the  chiefs 
came  on  board  the  ship  with  Mrs.  Haind.  After  a 
little  Mr.  Haind  came  with  the  king  and  one  of  his 
men.  Whatever  may  have  been  the  cause  of  the  war, 
the  Spirit  of  Christ  disposed  them  to  peace.  Mr. 
Haind  drew  up  a  treaty  of  peace  in  the  Gilbert  Island 
language,  which  they  all  signed.  Then  they  shook 
hands  with  each  other,  and  before  they  went  on  shore 
to  disperse  their  bands  Mr.  Haind  prayed  with  them, 
and  from  the  lately  hostile  hearts  there  went  out  over 
tlie  waters  from  the  little  gospel-yacht  this  song  of 
])cacc — 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISES.  79 

(Sing.)  "  Bright  in  that  happy  land 

Beams  every  eye; 
Kept  by  a  Father's  hand, 
Love  cannot  die." 

Seventh. — The  natural  love  of  music  implanted  in 
the  Armenians  reminds  one  of  the  Germans;  and  gos- 
pel-singing is  a  power  in  Turkey.  Passing  the  fields 
and  vineyards,  one  may  hear  men  and  wonjen  singing — 

{iSing.)      "  Just  as  I  am,  without  one  plea, 

But  that  thy  blood  was  shed  for  me. 
And  that  thou  bidst  me  come  to  thee, 
O  Lamb  of  God,  I  come  !" 

Miss  West  says  that  at  Aintab,  Turkey,  there  is  a 
Sunday-school  of  twelve  hundred  grown  people  and 
children  in  regular  attendance.  One  of  the  indirect 
results  of  this  school  is  sometimes  seen  in  the  crowded 
thoroughfares  of  the  city  in  the  shape  of  a  veritable 
little  Arab,  all  rags  and  dirt,  sitting  astride  a  loaded 
donkey,  and  singing  in  Turkish  at  the  top  of  his  shrill 
voice — 

{Sing.)  "  I  want  to  be  an  angel." 

If  we  should  leave  our  own  church  on  Sunday  morning 
and  attend  worship  at  Bardezag  in  Turkey,  we  should 
fiud  a  long,  narrow  room  with  one  hundred  people 
sitting  on  the  floor,  the  men  on  one  side,  the  women 
on  the  other,  with  children  scattered  between.  Dark 
mud  walls  and  small  windows  do  not  add  to  the  cheer- 
fulness of  the  place ;  but  after  an  impressive  service, 
conducted  by  a  graduate  of  the  Mission  Seminary  at 
Constantinople,  the  people  all  join  in  spirited  singing. 
Is  there  something  familiar  in  that  tune?  It  is  diffi- 
cult to  tell,  disguised  as  it  hi  in  "variations"  with 


30  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

Turkish  trills  and  semiquavers.     But  it  is  this  grand 
old  universal  favorite — 

{Sing.)    "  Praise  God,  from  whom  all  blessings  flow ; 
Praise  him,  all  creatures  here  below ; 
Praise  him  above,  ye  heavenly  host, 
Praise  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost." 


A  COMPANY  OF  MISSIONARIES. 

By  Mrs.  W.  A.  Niles. 

President. — We  present  to  you  to-day  a  company  of 
missionaries  whose  history  you  will  find  in  a  book 
well  known  to  you  all.  The  first  character  we  bring 
is  our  common  mother,  and  although  you  may  have 
some  prejudice  against  her  on  account  of  her  bad  con- 
duct on  one  occasion,  yet  you  will  all  acknowledge 
that  she  acted  the  missionary  to  us  in  giving  us  life 
through  our  Redeemer.  Hear  the  promise  given  for 
her  in  the  beginning. 

Band  read  Gen.  3  :  15. 

Vice-President. — The  next  character  we  present  as  a 
missionary  to  the  world  is  Abraham,  who  lived  two 
thousand  years  after  Eve,  Hear  the  promise  made  to 
him  by  One  who  is  ever  faithful  to  fulfill  his  word. 

Band.—Gew.  22  :  18. 

Our  third  missionary  comes  to  us  by  a  name  that 
means  praise,  and  surely  "  praise  "  has  sounded  down 
the  ages  from  the  lips  of  Judah.  Hear  the  promise 
made  to  him. 

Band.— Gen.  49  :  10. 

Pres. — And  now  comes  one  with  white  locks  and 
flowing  beard,  who  was  drawn  from  the  water  when 
he  was  a  very  little  child,  and  whom  (Jod  sent  when  h 


DIALOtiUKS    AM)    KXERCISES.  81 

man  to  let  the  Egyptians  know  that  Jehovah  reigned 
in  the  earth.     His  name  is  Moses.     Hear  him  speak. 

Band— Ex.  9  :  29. 

And  now  the  sister  of  Moses  sings  sweetly  to  us  with 
the  timbrel  and  with  the  dance. 

Band.— Ex.  15  :  20. 

Nor  is  she  the  only  woman  of  olden  time  who  tunee 
iier  harp  for  the  listening  ear  of  the  world  in  her  mis- 
sion of  love  and  mercy,  for  hear  the  noble  Deborah 
saying— 

Band. — Judg.  5  :  1-3. 

V.-Pres. — And  again  we  listen  to  a  company  of  an- 
cient women,  as,  hand  in  hand,  come  Hannah,  Ruth 
and  Esther  speaking  thus : 

Band.—l  Sam.  2  :  1,  2;  Ruth  1  :  16;  Esth.  4  :  16. 

But  who  is  this  that  strikes  the  lyre  and  tunes  the 
voice  in  sweetest  notes  of  praise  ?  A  crown  of  gold  is 
on  his  head  and  in  his  hand  a  shepherd's  crook,  and 
he  gathers  the  sheep  like  a  shepherd  and  carries  the 
lambs  in  his  bosom.  At  once  a  king,  a  father  and  a 
shepherd,  hear  David  sing: 

Band.— Fa.  24. 

Pres. — And  now  we  have  another — his  skin  fair  as  a 
lily,  his  keen,  prophetic  eye  gazing  down  into  futurity. 
It  was  he  who  refused  to  be  fed  with  the  king's  dain- 
ties, and  who,  with  the  four  Hebrew  children,  gave  the 
gospel  of  the  kingdom  to  the  Chaldsean  realm.  His 
name  is  Daniel.     Hear  him : 

Band.— Dan.  2  :  23. 

Our  characters,  thus  far,  have  appeared  to  us  from 
the  far-remote  depths  of  the  living  past,  from  the  very 
beginning,  and  all  have  spoken  of  good  things  yet  to 
come.  Four  thousand  years  in  the  world's  history 
lias  the  index  finger  pointed  fonvard,  and  now  again 
we  hear  the  sweet  voice  of  a  woman  singing  glad 

6 


82  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

tidir/gs  and  proclaiming  the  coming  kingdom.  Hear 
Elizabeth,  the  cousin  of  Mary : 

Band— Luke  1  :  42,  43. 

V.-Pres. — And  a  still  sweeter  voice  answers,  and 
Mar)'  herself  says — 

Band.— Luke  1  :  38. 

And  as  the  little  smiling  Babe  of  Bethlehem  appears 
upon  the  stage  of  action,  the  old  and  the  new  meet 
and  rejoice  as  Anna  the  prophetess  enters  the  temple. 

Band.— Luke  2  :  38. 

But  the  Babe  grows  to  manhood,  and  in  all  tlie 
glory  of  his  perfect  nature  reveals  to  the  world  the 
fact  that  his  birth  was  a  heavenly  o^ie.  He  was  a 
missionary  sent  from  heaven  to  us,  and  the  past  melts 
into  the  present,  and  the  song  and  the  story  groAV  into 
a  tender  meaning,  and  the  darkness  gives  place  to  light, 
as  the  Seed  of  the  woman  bruises  indeed  the  serpent's 
head,  while,  halo-circled,  he  stands  and  cries — 

Band.— Johns  :  16;.12:32. 

Pres. — The  present  is  past  once  more,  and  with  the 
index  finger  pointing  backward  appears  a  sturdy,  ac- 
tive, vigorous  man  in  the  dress  of  a  fisherman.  He 
was  in  a  trance  at  mid-day,  and  there  the  Spirit  taught 
him  the  blessed  lesson,  "  What  God  hath  cleansed, 
that  call  not  thou  common,"  and  he  gives  us  his  com- 
mission, thus : 

^and— John  21  :  15,  16. 

We  have  chosen  but  two  more  out  of  the  goodly 
company  of  the  ancients  to  tell  us  to-day  the  story  of 
the  Lamb  slain  from  the  foundation  of  the  world.  The 
one  who  now  speaks  was  once  a  persecutor,  hating 
and  destroying  all  who  dared  to  speak  the  name  of 
Jesus  or  show  forth  his  praise.  But  in  a  moment  he 
was  changed,  and  the  lips  which  breathed  forth  hatred 
and  cmelty  now  tell  with  wondrous  power  and  sweet- 


DIALOOUKS    AND    KXRliCISRS.  8;> 

ness  the  story  of  the  Redeemer.  Paul  gives  us  the 
words  of  his  Lord  to  him: 

Band.— Acts  22  :  21. 

V.-Pres. — The  scene  closes.  An  old  man  comes,  his 
locks  whitened  Avith  the  snows  of  many  winters.  He 
loves  and  is  beloved,  and  though  his  head  is  silvered, 
yet  in  his  heart  there  glows  the  fervor  of  an  immortal 
youth.  Such  love  can  never  die.  St.  John  the  Divine 
speaks  to  us  in  the  book  of  Revelation : 

Band. -Rev.  1:3;  22  :  20. 


JTTVENILE  MISSIONARY  MEETING. 

Arranged  by  Alice  W.  Knox. 

Motto  on  the  Blackboard: 


1.  Read  in  concert  Ps.  117. 

2.  Sing,  "  Praise  God,  from  whom  all  blessings  flow." 

3.  Read  responsively  Ps.  2. 

4.  Prayer. 

5.  Read  the  Motto  in  concert. 

6.  Some  member  read  the  following: 

THE  MISSIONARY'S  MOTTO. 
The  Rev.  Arthur  Dodgshun  was  a  young  missionary 
full  of  promise,  moved  by  love  to  Christ  and  burning 
zeal  for  the  cause  of  missions.  He  went  out  as  one 
of  the  pioneers  to  Central  Africa,  and  after  a  wearj^, 
toilsome  journey,  full  of  incidents  and  perils,  he  reach- 


84  MISSION  A II Y    KXEROISES. 

ed  Lake  Tanganyika,  which  is  upward  of  six  hundred 
English  miles  to  the  west  of  Zanzibar  on  the  West 
Coast  of  Africa,  only  to  lie  down  and  die.  He  yielded 
up  his  strength  and  his  life  for  the  Master's  cause. 

After  his  death,  among  the  relics  which  were  sent 
home  there  was  a  locket  he  had  worn  constantly,  in 
which  he  had  written  the  motto  by  which  he  meant 
to  shape  his  course  of  devotion  to  Christ.  In  legible 
though  small  letters  were  found  the  words, 

"God  Helping  me,  I  Will." 

Then  in  his  diary,  as  if  to  make  it  all  plain,  he  wrote 
the  following  lines,  showing  exactly  what  he  meant 
by  the  motto ;  and  happ}^  will  it  be  for  us  all  if  w(; 
can  make  the  motto  our  own  in  the  spirit  in  which 
this  sainted  man  adopted  it : 

"GOD  HELPING   ME,  I  WILL. 

"  Since  first  I  made  this  motto  mine, 

How  many  years  have  come  and  gone ! 
And  still,  as  other  years  roll  on, 
I  long  to  bend  my  will  to  thine. 

"  I  felt  my  weakness — feel  it  still ; 

I  knew  mere  human  strength  must  fail, 
But  since  thy  power  must  aye  prevail, 
I  wrote,  *  God  Helping  me,  I  Will.' 

"  How  often  have  my  sins  concealed 
The  shining  of  thy  fiice  from  me. 
Until  thy  grace  lias  made  me  see 
The  light  of  life  in  Christ  revealed  ! 

"  How  often  has  my  willful  heart 

Repressed  the  right,  and  let  me  stray 

Far  from  the  strait  and  narrow  way 

Which  leads  to  hoavon,  whero  thou  art! 


DIALOGURS    ANO    KXEU("I.SE.S.  8.0 

"  And  life  has  had  its  storms  and  calms — 
By  hopes  upheld,  by  sins  opprest — 
But  still  thou  callest  me  to  rest 
Within  the  everlasting  arms — 

"  To  rest,  but  not  to  leave  the  strife ; 
To  rest,  by  making  efforts  new 
To  conquer  evil — to  be  true 
To  Him  who  lived  no  sluggard's  life. 

"  Lord,  shouldst  thou  see  me  standing  still 
While  precious  sheaves  ungathered  lie, 
Say,  '  Son,  go  labor,'  and  I'll  cry, 
*I  will,  God  helping  me — I  will.'  " 

7    Sing,  "  Work,  for  the  night  is  coming." 

8.  Prayer. 

9.  Some  one  read  the  following: 

PAKT  OF  THE   CONCERN. 

A  CLERGYMAN  on  his  Way  to  a  missionary  meeting 
overtook  a  boy,  and  asked  him  about  the  road  and 
where  he  was  going. 

"  Oh,"  he  said,  "  I'm  going  to  the  meeting  to  hear 
about  the  missionaries." 

"  Missionaries !"  said  the  minister.  "  What  do  you 
know  about  missionaries?" 

"  Why,"  said  the  boy.  "  I'm  part  of  the  concern, 
I've  got  a  missionary-box,  and  I  always  go  to  tlie 
missionary  meeting.     /  belong.'^ 

Every  child  should  feel  that  he  is  "  part  of  the  con- 
cern," and  that  his  work  is  just  as  important  as  that 
of  any  one  else.  Linch-pins  are  little  things,  but  if 
they  drop  out,  the  wagon  is  very  likely  to  come  to  a 
standstill.  Every  pin  and  screw  should  be  in  working 
order,  and  every  child  should  be  able  to  say,  "  I  nl- 


8ti  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

ways  go  to  missionary  meeting.     Why,  I'm  part  of 
the  concern." 

10.  Another  read : 

LOVE  MAKES  THE  DIFFERENCE. 

James  Wilson  was  a  boy  wlio  had  lately  joined  the 
Church.  One  day  an  old  friend  and  former  teacher, 
who  had  often  spoken  to  him  about  becoming  a  Chris- 
tian, met  him. 

"  Well,  James,"  said  he,  "  how  are  you  getting  on  ?" 

"  Very  well,  sir.  Whv,  it's  just  as  different  as  can 
be." 

"What  is  different?" 

"  Being  a  Christian — everything  is  so  different  from 
what  I  expected." 

''  Well,  what  did  you  expect?" 

"  Why,  you  see,  when  you  used  to  talk  to  me  about 
being  a  Christian  I  would  say  to  myself,  '  No,  I  can't 
now,  for  I  shall  have  to  do  so  many  hard  things  that 
I  am  afraid  to  try  it.'  " 

"What  hard  tilings?" 

"Oh,  I  used  to  think, 'If  I  become  a  Christian  I 
shall  have  to  go  to  church  and  to  meeting  —  shall 
have  to  pray  and  to  read  the  Bible,  and  be  so  careful 
about  everything.'  But  I  find  it  so  different  to  what 
I  thought." 

"Why,  James,  what  do  you  mean?"  asked  his 
friend.  "You  do  go  to  church  and  to  meeting,  and 
you  read  your  Bible,  and  pray,  and  try  to  do  what 
you  know  is  right  in  everything,  don't  you?" 

"  Of  course  I  do,"  said  James,  looking  up  to  his 
friend  with  a  sweet  smile ;  "  but  then,  you  see,  I  love  to 
do  it  now,  and  this  makes  all  the  difference.  The  fact 
is,  that  I  love  Jesus.     And  instead  of  being  a  burden 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISES.  87 

to  ilo  anything  for  him,  it  is  just  the  greatest  pleasure 
I  have,  to  do  what  I  know  he  wants  me  to  do." 

Nothing  in  the  world  is  so  pleasant  as  what  we  do 
for  those  we  really  love. 

11.  Some  one  recite : 

"GOD  WANTS  US  ALL. 

"  God  wants  the  boys,  the  merry,  merry  boys, 
The  noisy  boys,  the  fimny  boys, 
The  thoughtless  boys ; 
God  wants  the  boys  with  all  their  joys. 
That  he  as  gold  may  make  them  pure, 
And  teach  them  trials  to  endure. 
His  heroes  brave 

He'll  have  them  be, 
Fighting  for  truth 

And  purity. 
God  wants  the  boys. 

"  God  wants  the  happy-hearted  girls, 
The  loving  girls,  the  best  of  girls, 

The  worst  of  girls ; 
God  wants  to  make  the  girls  his  pearls. 
And  so  reflect  his  holy  face. 
And  bring  to  mind  his  wondrous  grace, 
That  beautiful 

The  world  may  be, 
And  filled  with  love 

And  purity. 
God  wants  the  girls." 

12.  Sing,  "  More  love  to  thee,  0  Christ." 

13.  Short  address,  five  or  ten  minutes. 

14.  Lord's  Prayer  in  concert. 

15.  Mizpah — "  The  Lord  watch  between  me  and  thee 
when  we  are  absent  one  from  another." 


88  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

MISSIONARY  CATECHISM. 

What  is  fhe  great  Bible  command  for  Missio7i»  f 
Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach, 
The  gospel  to  every  creature  teach  ! 

Does  this  mean  that  all  should  go  ? 

To  some  it  means  that  they  should  go — 
That  others  should  their  means  bestow  : 
To  all  who  now  enjoy  the  light 
The  message  comes,  Dispel  the  night. 

Can  the  children  obey  this  command  f 

Though  we  are  young,  still  we  can  give 
A  helping  hand  that  they  may  live ; 
Our  mites  we  earn,  and  these  we  save 
To  send  the  bread  across  the  wave. 

Why  should  you  feel  that  these  mites  are  acceptable  to  the  Lord  f 
Our  Saviour  said  while  here  on  earth, 
"  A  cup  of  water  hath  its  worth." 
The  widow's  mite,  when  it  was  given, 
Rose  as  sweet  incense  unto  heaven. 

What  is  the  final  object  for  which  you  are  working? 
That  for  the  kingdoms  of  his  Son 
May  this  world's  kingdoms  all  be  won — 
That  all  shall  own  his  sovereign  sway, 
And  nations  be  born  in  a  day. 

^Vhat  authority  have  you  for  believing  that  the  whole  xcorld 
will  be  finally  brought  to  Christ  ? 

The  Bible  tells  us  this  is  true ; 
The  words  are  sent  to  us  and  you, 
That  to  him  every  knee  shall  bend. 
All  tongues  confess  him  Saviour,  Friend. 

Should  you  feel  grateful  that  you  are  surrounded  by  gofpc' 
]irivilrgcs  ? 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISJ-^S.  89 

Yes,  we  should  daily  bless  the  hand 
That  placed  uo  ia  a  Christian  land, 
And  all  our  grateful  praises  bring 
To  "  Christ  our  Prophet,  Priest  and  King." 

Will  you  be  held  responsible  for  these  blessings  and  for  all 
your  gifts  f 

Our  Lord  requires  that  these  shall  be 
As  talents  returned  with  usury. 
We  all  should  tlien  each  gift  improve. 
Since  he  has  shown  such  wondrous  love. 


THE  BETHLEHEM  STAR. 

"  Now  when  Jesus  was  born  in  Bethlehem  of  Judaea 
in  the  days  of  Herod  the  king,  behold  there  came  wise 
men  from  the  east  to  Jerusalem,  saying,  Where  is  he 
that  is  born  King  of  the  Jews  ?  for  we  have  seen  his 
star  in  the  east,  and  are  come  to  worship  him." 

A  beautiful  star  of  purest  light 
On  Bethlehem  rose  divinely  bright, 
And  over  the  infant  Saviour  smiled, 
While  angels  blessed  the  holy  child. 

Chorus :  Shining  still,  shining  still. 

Beautiful  Bethlehem  morning  star. 

"Lo,  the  star  which  they  saw  in  the  east  went 
before  them,  till  it  came  and  stood  over  where  the 
young  child  was." 

That  wonderful  star,  whose  beams  of  old, 
The  prophets  in  their  song  foretold — 
That  wonderful  star  that  came  to  earth, 
Bright  herald  of  the  Saviour's  birth. 

Chorus :  Shining  still,  etc. 


90  MISSIONARY    EXEKCISKS. 

"And  suddenly  there  was  with  the  ancccl  a  multi- 
tude of  the  heavenly  host  praising  God,  and  saying, 
Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  and  on  earth  peace,  good 
will  toward  men." 

0  children  of  God,  with  rapture  sing 
Hosanna  to  our  Saviour  King ! 
Oh,  joyfully  sing  the  song  again 
Of  glory,  peace,  good-will  to  men ! 

Chorus :  Shining  still,  etc. 

(Tune  in  Songs  of  Salvation.) 


INFANT-CLASS  MISSIONARY  EXERCISE. 
Part  I. 

Congregation  rise  and  sing — 

"From  Greenland's  icy  mountains" 

(one  stanza,  while  class  take  their  places). 

Class  in  Concert. — "  For  God  so  loved  the  world  that 
he  gave  his  only-begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believ- 
eth  in  him  should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting 
life." 

Recitation. — "  Have  you  heard  of  Jesus  ?"  Designed 
to  be  recited  by  five  little  girls,  standing  in  a  row,  eiich 
turning  to  the  child  at  her  left  as  she  repeats  the  last 
two  lines  of  her  verse : 

"  Little  child,  so  bright  and  fair, 
Have  you  heard  of  Jesus?" 

First  little  Girl — 

"  Little  child,  so  bright  and  fuir, 
By  my  pathway  straying — 
Eyes  of  blue,  and  golden  hair, 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISES.  91 

Pleasant  face  beyond  compare — 

Have  you  heard  of  Jesus? 
Little  child,  so  bright  and  fair, 

Have  you  heard  of  Jesus  ?" 

Second  little  Girl. — 

"  Yes.     He  was  born  in  Bethlehem, 
Cradled  in  a  manger  ; 
King,  without  a  diadem  ; 
Wise  men  brought  him  spice  and  gem, 

Brought  the  little  stranger. 

Little  child,  so  bright  and  fair, 

Have  you  heard  of  Jesus  ?" 

Third  little  Girl— 

"  Yes.     Little  children,  in  his  arms 
He  was  wont  to  take  them  ; 
There  they  rested  from  alarms, 
There  they  felt  his  tender  charms  ; 

He  would  ne'er  forsake  them. 
Little  child,  so  bright  and  fair. 
Have  you  heard  of  Jesus  ?" 

Fourth  little  Girl. — 

"  Yes.     But  there  is  a  stranger  tale, 
Which  to  learn  I'd  have  you  : 
How  this  Jesus  stooped  and  died, 
How  with  spear  they  pierced  his  side, 

From  your  sins  to  save  you. 
Little  child,  so  bright  and  fair, 
Have  you  heard  of  Jesus  ?" 

Fifth  little  Girl— 

"  Yes.     Little  children,  bright  and  fair, 
He  would  have  you  love  him ; 
From  his  throne  he  watches  there ; 
Cast  yourself  upon  his  care ; 

There's  no  friend  above  him. 
I'm  glad  these  children,  bright  and  fair 


92  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

^^^ooking  down  the  line  of  children), 
Have  heard  so  much  of  Jesus." 

Chanting  (tune  in  "  Prize  "). — 
"  Jesus,  only  Jesus, 
He  is  all  we  need, 
He  who  doth  for  ever 
For  lis  intercede. 

"  Jesus,  gracious  Jesus, 
He  for  us  has  died. 
What  a  gracious  Saviour 
Is  (he  Crucified  ! 

"  Jesus,  faithful  Jesus, 
Ne'er  will  he  forsake : 
From  his  daily  presence 
May  we  courage  take." 
Chorus : 

"  Jesus,  blessed  Jesus, 
At  thy  feet  we  fall : 
Precious  Saviour,  Jesus, 
Thou  art  all  in  all." 

Part  II. 

"  But  are  there  not  some  little  ones. 
Away  in  their  heathen  homes. 
Who've  never  been  told  how  Jesus 
Once  said,  '  Let  the  little  children  come'? 

"  I'm  told  they  have  no  Bible, 
No  holy  Sabbath  day, 
No  teacher,  friend,  disciple, 
To  teach  (hem  how  to  pray." 

Singing,  solo. — 

"  Shall  we  whose  souls  are  lighted,"  etc. 

Class  sing  as  chorus. — 

"  Salvation,  oh,  salvation." 


Girl. 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISES.  93 

Part  III. 

Girl. — Who  are  the  heathen? 

Class  in  Concei't. — Those  who  worship  idols  and 
have  no  knowledge  of  the  true  God. 

Girl. — And  do  they  know  nothing  of  Jesus  Christ, 
who  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners  ?  Have  they 
never  heard  that  the  Bible  says,  "  WJiosoever  shall  call 
upon  the  name  of  the  Lord  shall  be  saved  "  ? 

Class  in  Concert. — "  How  then  shall  they  call  on  Him 
in  whom  they  have  not  believed,  and  how  shall  they 
believe  in  Him  of  whom  they  have  not  heard,  and  how 
shall  they  hear  without  a  preacher,  and  how  shall  they 
preach  except  they  be  sent  9  as  it  is  written  " — 

Girl. — "  How  beautiful  are  the  feet  of  them  that 
])reach  the  gospel  of  peace,  and  bring  glad  tidings  of 
good  things !" 

Boy. — Is  there  not  something  the  children  can  do  to 
send  the  Bible  and  a  preacher  to  those  little  ones  over 
the  seas? 

Ans.  by  singing  (solo  and  chorus.  No.  27  Primary 
Songs'). — 

"  There  is  something  on  earth  for  the  children  to  do." 

Girl. — What  are  those  people  called  who  go  to  teach 
the  heathen  ? 

Boy. — Missionaries.  We  have  examples  of  them  in 
the  Bible. 

Girl. — Isaiah  heard  the  voice  of  the  Lord,  saying, 
Whom  shall  I  send  ?  He  answered,  Here  am  I,  send 
me. 

Boy. — The  word  of  the  Lord  came  unto  Jonah, 
saying,  Arise,  go  unto  Nineveh,  and  preach  unto  it 
the  preaching  that  I  bid  thee. 

Girl. — Christ  also  sent  out  missionaries.  "He  ap- 
pointed other  seventy  also,  and  sent  them  two  HnJ 


94  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

two,  before  his  face,  into  every  city  and  place  whither 
he  himself  Avould  come." 

Boy. — Paul  was  sent  to  the  Gentiles  to  open  their 
ej'es,  and  to  turn  them  from  darkness  to  light,  and 
from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God. 

Girl. — Christ  himself  was  a  missionary.  "  The  Son 
of  man  came  not  to  be  ministered  unto,  but  to  minister, 
and  to  give  his  life  a  ransom  for  many." 

Boy. —  We  mean  to  follow  Christ's  example,  and  be 
missionary  workers,  trying  to  do  with  our  might  what 
our  hands  find  to  do. 

Singing  (solo  and  chorus,  No.  24  Primary  Songs, 
changing  the  word  "  pilgrim  "  to  worker,  thus) : 

"  I'm  a  little  worker." 

Part   IV. 

Girl. — How  does  Christ  regard  what  we  do  for  him? 

Class  in  Concert. — "  Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it 
unto  one  of  the  least  of  these  my  brethren,  ye  have 
done  it  unto  me." 

Boy. — We  cannot  all  go  to  the  heathen :  what  can 
we  do? 

Class  in  Concert. — We  can  ''^ pray  the  Lord  of  the 
harvest  that  he  would  send  forth  laborers  into  the 
harvest." 

Girl. — Is  'prayer  all  that  is  necessary  ? 

Class  in  Concert. — It  is  not.  We  must  give.  Faith 
without  works  is  dead.  "  Remember  the  words  of  the 
Lord  Jesus,  how  he  said,  It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than 
to  receive." 

Boy. — How  should  we  give? 

Class. — God  loveth  a  cheerjul  giver. 

Recitation  by  Girl,  followed  by  a  missionary  hymn. 

Girl. — What  petition  in  the  Lord's  Prayer  refers  to 
llie  heathen? 


DTALOGURS    AND    EXERCISES.  95 

Boy. — Thy  kingdom  come,  tliy  will  be  done  in 
eartli,  as  it  is  in  lieaven. 

Girl. — What,  then,  is  the  duty  of  all,  both  old  and 
young? 

Class  in  Concert. — To  work,  pray,  give,  and  so  obey 
tne  Saviour's  command,  which  says,  "  Go  ye  into  all 
the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature." 

Congregation  join  children  in  singing, 

"  Waft,  waft,  ye  winds,  his  story,"  etc. 

—  The  Heart  and  Hand. 


FOR  A  MISSION  CIRCLE  OF  CHILDREN. 

Arrangevients  to  be  Made  in  Advance. 

Cut  out  from  stiff  card-board  twelve  pieces  of  any 
shape  you  please — a  shield  or  a  crescent,  for  example. 
They  should  be  about  eight  inches  in  length.  Cut 
from  some  bright-colored  paper  the  twelve  letters 
which  form  the  word  missionaries.  Paste  each  one 
of  these  successively  on  the  twelve  bits  of  card-board, 
and  attach  to  the  corners  of  each  a  bit  of  bright  ribbon 
by  which  to  hang  one  letter  around  the  neck  of  each 
of  the  tw^elve  children  who  are  to  take  their  share  in 
the  exercises.  The  letters  should  be  large,  say  six 
inches,  so  as  to  be  seen  distinctly  at  a  distance.  The 
little  girls  should  be  nearly  as  possible  of  the  same 
height,  so  that  when  each  letter  hangs  upon  the  breast 
they  shall  be  in  a  line.  Have  a  bi'oad  platform  pre- 
pared for  the  children  to  stand  on,  so  that  they  are 
not  crowded.  Finally,  drill  the  children  well  in  learn- 
ing and  reciting  their  verses  correctly. 

On  the  evening  of  the  meeting  have  the  twelve  chil- 
dren about  whose  necks  the  twelve  cards  are  suspend- 
ed (the  letters  being  reversed,  out  of  sight)  stand  in  a 


9C  MISSIONARY    EXKUCI.SKP. 

line  in  the  middle  of  the  platform.  On  each  side  stand 
four  other  children  facing  each  other.  If  there  are 
not  -jnough  in  the  Mission  Circle  for  this,  then  let 
there  be  one  child  each  side,  instead  of  four,  who  re- 
peats what  otherwise  the  eight  children  would  repeat 
in  succession,  thus: 

1st  Child.— 

"  We  are  taught  to  serve  the  Lord, 
His  precepts  to  obey, 
To  read  and  love  his  holy  word, 
And  serve  him  every  day." 

2d,  opposite  Child. — 

"  But  there  are  tliose  in  heathen  lands, 
Young  children,  such  as  we. 
Who  to  dumb  idols  raise  their  hands, 
To  idols  bow  the  knee." 

No.  5,  who  stands  next  to  Ab.  1. — 

"  We  are  taught  our  friends  to  love. 
Our  parents  to  obey — ■ 
Our  enemies,  if  such  we  have, 
To  help  in  every  way." 

No.  4,  y^ho  stands  next  to  No.  2, — 

"  In  heathen  lands  they  are  not  taught 
Gentle  and  kind  to  be. 
To  love  each  other  as  they  ought, 
Both  friend  and  enemy." 

No.  5,  who  stands  next  to  No.  3. — 

"  We  are  taught  to  keep  God's  day, 
The  sacred  day  of  rest ; 
We  learn  about  the  heavenly  way 
In  which  we  may  be  blest." 

No.  6,  ivho  stands  next  to  No.  4- — 

"  The  heathen  child  to  deeds  of  sin, 
To  cruel,  selfish  ways. 


DIALOGUES    AND   EXERCISES.  97 

Is  left  in  childhood  to  begin, 
And  practice  all  his  days." 

No,  7,  who  stands  next  to  No.  5. — 

"  Our  teachers  point  to  Jesus'  life, 
And  teach  us  he  must  be 
Our  pattern  in  this  world  of  strife, 
Our  great  example  he." 

No.  8,  who  stands  next  to  Ah.  6. — 

"  Oh,  might  Christ's  great  example  be 
To  all  the  children  given, 
So  that  they  all  should  plainly  see 
The  road  that  leads  to  heaven  !" 

AU  of  these  Eight  Children  now  repeat  together. — 
"  What  can  we  do  to  send  God's  word 
To  those  who've  not  the  message  heard  ' 
Oh,  who  to  them  will  give  that  light 
To  save  them  from  sin's  cruel  blight?" 

llie  Twelve  Children  who  have  the  Twelve  Cards  reply 
in  Concert. — 

"  See !  we  can  tell  you  how  to  give 
The  means  to  teach  them  how  to  live. 
These  messengers  that  you  can  send 
May  teach  of  Christ,  the  sinner's  Friend. 

Now  each  of  these  twelve  children  reverses  in  turn  the 
card  which  is  hung  about  her  neck,  displaying  in  suc- 
cession the  letters  which  form  the  word  missionaries. 

In  doing  this  each  repeats  the  line  appropriate  while 
turning  the  letter  in  sight,  as  follows  (care  should  be 
taken  that  the  children  speak  promptly,  without  undue 
pauses  to  break  the  sense,  while  turning  the  letter  in 
Bight) : 

"  M  is  the  letter  I  first  turn  in  sight." 
"  /is  the  next  one  ;  I  place  it  aright." 

7 


us  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

"  S,  though  so  crooked,  is  useful,  you  see ;" 

"  And  another  S  comes  its  companion  to  be." 

"  /now  is  repeated ;  before  you  it  stands ;" 

"  And  0  is  the  one  that  meets  our  demands.' 

"iS^is  the  next  letter  to  stand  in  the  row;" 

"  And  A  is  quite  ready  in  its  order  to  go." 

"  E  will  not  be  behindhand  :  it  stands  in  its  place ;" 

"  And  /comes  again  ;  I  show  you  its  face." 

"^near  the  end  sliould  most  properly  be;" 

"  And  S  ends  the  word,  which  before  us  you  see." 

Now  each  in  turn  names  her  letter,  thus  spelling  the 
word,  and  in  concert  they  pronounce  it — Missioaarieis. 

While  the  children  stand  thus  before  the  audience 
with  the  letters  in  sight  a  hymn  on  the  subject  of  mis- 
sions can  be  sung  by  all  present.  After  this  let  every 
child  upon  the  platform  successively  or  in  concert  re- 
peat a  verse  from  the  Scripture  appro})riate  to  the 
subject;  the  selections  should  be  made  both  from  the 
Old  and  New  Testaments,  and  should  be  carefully  com- 
mitted to  memory,  so  that  the  impression  upon  the  cliild's 
mind  may  be  permanent. 

If  among  the  older  scholars  there  are  any  who  can 
be  nicely  trained  to  recite  a  piece  in  reference  to  tlie 
wants  of  the  heathen  or  our  duty  in  respect  to  them, 
this  could  be  appropriately  done  now,  while  as  a  back- 
ground the  children  still  stand  with  the  letters  which 
form  the  subject  of  the  recitation. 

We  furnish  tlie  following,  taken  from  a  missionary 
magazine : 

"THE  BEST  USE  OF  A   PENNY. 

"  Should  you  wish  to  be  told  the  best  use  of  a  penny, 
I'll  tell  you  a  way  that  is  better  than  any  : 
Not  on  apples,  or  cakes,  or  playthings  to  spend  it, 
But  over  the  seas  to  the  heathen  to  sond  it. 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISES.  99 

Come  listen  to  me,  and  I'll  tell,  if  you  please. 
Of  some  poor  little  children  far  over  the  seas. 

"  Their  color  is  dark,  for  our  God  made  them  thus ; 
But  he  made  them  with  bodies  and  feelings  like  us: 
A.  soul,  too,  that  never  will  die,  has  been  given, 
And  there's  room  for  these  children  with  Jesus  in  heaven. 
But  who  will  now  tell  of  such  good  things  as  these 
To  the  poor  little  heathen  far  over  the  seas? 

"  Little  boys  in  this  land  are  well  oft'  indeed  ; 
They  have  schools  every  day,  where  they  sing,  write  and 

read; 
To  church  they  may  go,  and  have  pastors  to  teach 
How  the  true  way  to  heaven  through  Jesus  to  reach. 
Yet,  sad  to  remember,  there  are  so  few  of  these 
For  the  poor  little  heathen  far  over  the  seas. 

"  Oh  think,  then,  of  this  when  a  penny  is  given : 
'  I  can  help  a  poor  child  on  his  way  home  to  heaven.' 

Then  give  it  to  Jesus,  and  he  will  approve, 

Nor  scorn  e'en  the  mite  if  'tis  offered  in  love ; 

And  oh,  when  in  prayer  you  to  him  bend  your  knees. 

Remember  the  children  far  over  the  seas." 

—  The  Mission  Monthly, 


OUR  LITTLE  SISTERS. 

For  Four  Little  Ones, 
First  Voice. — 

"  Away  in  the  tropical  meadows 

Where  the  wonderful  Ganges  swells, 
'Neath  the  palm  trees'  beautiful  shadows, 

My  dear  little  sister  dwells. 
I  have  never  stooped  down  and  kissed  her, 

Our  arms  we  may  never  entwine, 
But  I  know  she  is  surely  my  sister. 
Since  God  is  her  Father  and  mine. 


100  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

"  But  oh,  ere  a  year  is  ended 

She  may  sink  in  a  terrible  grave, 
And  her  last  little  cry  may  be  blended 

With  the  rush  of  the  Ganges'  wave  ; 
For  they  tell  me  the  heathen  mother 

Her  babe  to  the  river-god  throws ; 
O'er  many  a  sister  and  brother 

The  terrible  Ganges  flows." 

Second  Voice. — 

"  Where  the  billowy  waves  are  swelling, 
Oh,  thousands  of  leagues  from  here, 
In  an  isle  of  the  ocean  dwelling, 

I  too  have  a  sister  dear. 
I  never  have  stooped  down  and  kissed  her, 

Our  arms  may  never  entwine; 
But  I  know  she  is  surely  my  sister. 
Since  God  is  her  Father  and  mine. 

"  No  one  in  the  isle  is  fairer 

Than  she,  nor  so  happy  and  gay  ; 
But  oh,  I'm  afraid  they  will  bear  her 

To  the  terrible  shrine  away  ; 
And  my  sister  may  now  be  seeing 

The  last  of  her  days  so  feir, 
For  many  a  human  being 
Is  offered  to  idols  there." 

ndrd  Voice. — 

"  I  too  have  a  sister ;  I  love  lier, 

Though  God  in  his  wisdom  has  made 
The  hue  her  young  face  and  ibrm  over 

Of  Africa's  tawniest  shade. 
I  never  have  stooped  down  and  kissed  hf  r 

Our  arms  we  may  never  entwine ; 
But  I  know  she  is  surely  my  sister, 
Since  God  is  her  Father  and  mine. 

"  There  is  sorrow  in  every  feature, 
And  pain  in  my  sister's  soul ; 


DIAlAKiUKS    AND    EXKKCISKS.  101 

She  is  bowing  before  a  creature 

All  loathsome  and  grim  and  foul ; 
For  Africa  lies  in  darkness 

So  thick  that  it  seems  to  me 
My  poor  little  African  sister 

The  morning  will  never  see." 

Fourth  Voice. — 

"  Oh,  hear  us,  our  fathers  and  mothers! 
Our  sorrowing  spirits  cry, 
And  help  to  our  sisters  and  brothers 

Send  quickly  before  they  die — 
Send  and  tell  them  the  good  Shepherd  leads  us 

To  God,  the  kind  Father  above, 
And  how  from  the  heavens  he  heeds  us, 
And  looks  down  upon  us  with  love." 

All— 

"  For  our  spirits  all  stoop  down  and  kiss  them, 
We  entwine  them  with  love  and  with  prayers! 
In  heaven  we  must  meet  and  not  miss  them, 
Since  God  is  our  Father  and  theirs." — Selected. 


NOTHING  TO  DO. 

First  Scholar. — 

"  Nothing  to  do  in  this  world  of  ours. 
Where  the  weeds  spring  up  'raid  the  fairest  flowers, 
Where  smiles  have  only  a  fitful  play, 
Where  hearts  are  breaking  every  day  ?" 

Second  Scholar. — 

"  '  Nothing  to  do '  ?    Thou  Christian  soul. 
Wrapping  thee  round  in  thy  selfish  stole, 
If  with  the  garments  of  sloth  and  sin, 
Christ,  thy  Lord,  hath  a  kingdom  to  win." 


102  MISSIONARY   EXERCISES. 

Third  Scholar. — 

"  *  Nothing  to  do '  ?    There  are  prayers  to  lay 
On  the  altar  of  incense  day  by  day  ; 
There  are  foes  to  meet  within  and  without, 
There  is  error  to  conquer,  strong  and  stout." 

Fourth  Scholar. — 

"  '  Nothing  to  do '  ?     There  are  minds  to  teach 
The  simplest  forms  of  Christian  speech  ; 
There  are  hearts  to  lure  with  loving  wile 
From  the  grimmest  haunts  of  sin's  defile." 

Fifth  Scholar. — 

"  '  Nothing  to  do '?    There  are  lambs  to  feed, 
The  precious  hope  of  the  Church's  need, 
Strength  to  be  borne  to  the  weak  and  faint. 
Vigils  to  keep  with  the  doubting  saint." 

Sixth  Scholar. — 

"  '  Nothing  to  do  '  ?     There  are  heights  to  attain, 
Where  Christ  is  transfigured  yet  again, 
Where  earth  will  fade  in  the  vision  sweet, 
And  the  soul  pass  on  with  winged  feet." 

Whole  Class,  in  Concert. — 

"  '  Nothing  to  do  '  ?  and  thy  Saviour  said, 
'  Follow  thou  me  in  the  path  I  tread.' 
Lord,  lend  thy  help  the  journey  through, 
Lest,  faint,  we  cry,  '  So  much  to  do  !'  " — jS*  lecied 


OUR  BEST  FOR  THE  MASTER. 

By  Mrs.  S.  C.  Jayne. 

Long  the  heathen  mother  lingered 
Near  the  couch  where  quiet  lay 

Her  twin  babes,  in  gentle  slumber 
Sleeping  peaceful  hours  away— 


DIALOGUES   AND    EXERCISES.  JOii 

One  a  boy  of  beauteous  features, 

Perfect  form  and  budding  mind, 
But  the  other  all  disfigured, 

Almost  idiot  and  blind. 

Sad  the  mother's  heart  with  weeping. 

For  her  idol  god  demands 
One  of  these  dear  babes,  a  victim 

Sacrificed  by  her  own  hands. 
Well  she  knows  that  naught  unsightly 

Will  the  cruel  Gunga  please, 
That  her  brightest,  fairest  treasure 

Only  will  her  wrath  appease ; 
Trembling,  faltering,  then  she  seizes 

Him,  the  dimpled,  laughing-eyed, 
Hastens  where  the  Ganges  floweth. 

Bravely  throws  him  in  the  tide. 

0  poor  stricken,  heathen  mother! 

If  the  Christian's  faith  were  given, 
You  would  see  tlie  dear,  good  Jesus 

Eeachingdown  to  earth  from  heaven — 
With  his  arms  of  love  and  pity 

Folded  round  your  darling,  rise. 
Bearing  safe  his  little  spirit 

To  the  nursery  of  the  skies. 

Sisters,  can  you  hope  to  fathom 

Half  that  mother's  wondering  joy 
When  she  fully  comprehendeth 

She  again  will  see  her  boy  ? 
Send  this  knowledge  to  her  quickly, 

Heal  her  bleeding,  broken  heart, 
Tell  her  in  the  home  of  heaven 

Loved  ones  meet  no  more  to  part. 

Did  you  list  the  earnest  pleading 

As  it  came  direct  to  you, 
'  Give,  oh  give,  this  gospel  to  us ! 
We  would  learn  of  Jesus  too  ; 


lUl  MISSlOiNAKV    EXIOKCISES. 

W  we  may  not  worship  witli  you 

If  too  vile  and  poor  we  arc, 
Oh,  kind  lady,  when  you  enter, 
Will  you  leave  the  door  ajar  /" 

Send  this  knowledge  to  them  quit-k  y, 
Neither  gold  nor  silver  spare, 

But  let  every  dollar  of  it  be 
Well  wrapped  up  in  faith  and  prayer. 


RECITATION. 


[The  following  may  be  made  very  effective  by  having  the  verses 
of  the  "  Missionary  Hymn  "  sung,  the  other  stanzjis  being  recited ;] 

THE  MISSIONARY  HYMN. 
I. 

"  Now  let  us  sing,"  the  preacher  said  ; 

And  as  the  book  he  lifted; 
Across  his  patient,  careworn  face 

A  bright  expression  drifted. 
Stood  listening  the  forest  trees 

Around  that  cabin  lowly ; 
Halted  the  wolf  and  snuffed  the  breeze, 

On  which  came  faintly,  slowly, 


"  From  Greenland's  icy  mountains, 

From  India's  coral  strand, 
Where  Afric's  sunny  fountains 

Roll  down  their  golden  sand ; 
From  many  an  ancient  river. 

From  many  a  palmy  plain. 
They  call  us  to  deliver 

Their  land  from  error's  chain." 

II. 

"  Now  let  us  sing ;"  and  at  the  word, 
From  prairie-pulpit  uttered, 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISER.  105 

Like  rustling  leaves  before  a  shower 

The  white-winged  pages  fluttered ; 
Then  burst  the  hymn  ;  the  long  grass  waved 

The  grouse  stirred  in  its  cover, 
Still  stood  the  deer  with  head  erect, 

Up  sprang  the  startled  plover : 


"  What  though  the  spicy  breezes 

Blow  soft  o'er  Ceylon's  isle; 
Though  every  prospect  pleases. 

And  only  man  is  vile; 
In  vain  with  lavish  kindness 

The  gifts  of  God  are  strown  : 
The  heathen  in  his  blindness 

Bows  down  to  wood  and  stone." 

III. 

"  Now  let  us  sing  :"  the  city  throng, 

Crowding  around  the  preacher. 
The  tale  of  heathen  weal  and  woe 

Had  heard  from  earnest  teacher. 
The  breath  of  organ,  chant  of  choir. 

In  grand  reverberation, 
Shook  transept,  nave  and  vaulted  roof, 

With  fervent  deprecation  : 


■  Shall  we,  whose  souls  are  lighted 

By  wisdom  from  on  high. 
Shall  we  to  men  benighted, 

The  lamp  of  life  deny? 
Salvation  !  oh,  salvation  ! 

The  joyful  sound  proclaim, 
Till  earth's  remotest  nation 

Has  learned  Messiah's  name." 

IV. 

Where'er  is  heard  our  English  tongue, 

From  continent  to  ocean. 
The  wondrous  hymn,  those  burning  lines, 

Are  sung  with  deep  eiiiolion; 


106  MISSIONARY    JOXEKCISES. 

From  distant  isles,  from  China  seas. 
Resolve  and  courage  bringing; 

From  Saxon,  Indian,  African, 
To-day  the  words  are  ringing: 


Waft,  waft,  ye  winds,  his  story, 

And  you,  ye  waters,  roll, 
Till,  like  a  sea  of  glory. 

It  spreads  from  pole  to  pole — 
Till  o'er  our  ransomed  nature 

The  Lamb  for  sinners  slain, 
Redeemer,  King,  Creator, 

In  bliss  returns  to  reign." 

V. 
O  lyric  grand  !  thy  noble  words. 

All  noble  deeds  suggesting, 
Have  ever  stirred  the  Christian  heart 

To  work  and  toil  unresting ; 
And  till  the  Church's  fight  is  fought 

Thine  utterances  glorious, 
A  battle-cry,  a  trumpet-call. 

Shall  lead  the  host  victorious. — Selected. 


[By  special  pennisxwi.) 

THE  MISSIONARY  CLOCK. 

By  Mrs.  Louise  Kinney. 

[There  should  be  a  large  clock-face  constructed  of  pasteboard, 
large  enough  to  be  seen  distinctly  from  any  part  of  the  room  in 
which  the  performance  takes  place.  The  numbers  on  the  fiice  of 
the  clock  are  represented  by  the  texts  of  Scripture  on  which  the 
verses  are  based — 1  being  a  text  of  one  word  ;  2,  a  text  of  two 
words,  and  so  on  up  to  12.  Arrange  the  texts  ujion  the  face  of  the 
clock  in  such  a  manner  as  to  form  convergent  lines  toward  tlie 
centre.  The  hands  must  be  made  to  move  easily,  both  pointing  to 
12  at  the  beginning  of  the  exercise.  The  introductory  verse  is  first 
rocitcfl,   without  changing  the  hands.     Tlie  hour  "one"  in  then 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXKRCIRRS.  107 

strui;k,  with  a  small  bell,  by  some  one  in  the  rear.  As  the  hour 
strikes  let  one  of  the  children  advance  to  the  clock  from  the  right, 
move  the  hour-hand  forward  to  "  one,"  recite  the  text  and  the  cor- 
responding verse,  and  then  remain  standing  at  the  right  of  the 
clock.  "Two"  is  then  struck  with  the  bell.  Let  the  next  one 
advance  from  the  left,  move  the  hand  forward  to  number  "  two  " 
upon  the  clock,  repeat  her  text  and  verse,  and  remain  standing 
upon  the  left  of  the  clock.  Let  the  next  approach  from  the  right 
again,  the  one  following  from  the  left,  and  so  on,  until  at  the  end 
the  Band  forms  a  semicircle  facing  the  audience.  The  texts  and 
verses  may  be  recited  by  different  ones  if  the  Band  is  large  and  it 
is  desired  to  have  many  take  part  in  the  exercise.  The  prayer  at 
I  lie  close  is  to  be  repeated  in  concert  by  the  Band,  either  kneeling 
ur  standing  with  bowed  heads  and  folded  hands.  After  the  prayer, 
thehyinn  "Whiter  than  the  Snow"  (Palmer's  Songs  of  Love),  sung 
b}  the  Band,  makes  a  beautiful  and  effective  ending.] 

"  Tick-tock,  tick-tock !" 

Hear  the  Missionary  Clock. 
It  hath  a  voice  for  every  hour, 
Words  of  soft,  persuasive  power. 
Would  you  know  what  it  is  saying 
In  its  ceaseless,  solemn  swaying? — 
"  Go  ye  into  all  the  earth  ! 

Preach  the  gosj^el's  priceless  worth 

Unto  every  longing  soul, 

Till  from  pole  to  farthest  pole 
Every  creature  knows  the  story, 
Bows  before  the  Lord  of  Glory." 

1.  ["Come."  Rev.  22  :  17.] 

"  Tick-tock,  tick-tock !" 
Hear  the  Missionary  Clock. 
"  One  "  it  striketh  ;  sweet  and  clear 
Falls  its  summons  on  mine  ear : 

"  Come!  thy  Father  calleth  for  thee; 
Come  !  thy  Saviour  yearneth  for  thee ; 
Come  !  oh,  give  me  now  thy  heart 
While  in  life's  fair  morn  thou  art ! 
Come!"  it  calls  with  silvery  chime; 
"  Now  is  the  accented  time." 


108  MISSLONAUY    EXERCISES. 

2.  ["Follow  me."  Luko  9  :  69.] 
"  Tick-tock,  tick-tock !" 

Hear  the  Missionary  Clock. 
"  Two  "  it  striketh :  "  Follow  me! 
I,  the  Lord,  am  leading  thee. 

Though  the  way  seem  dark  and  dreary, 
Though  thy  feet  be  often  weary, 
Though  I  lead  through  desert  sands 
Or  the  gloom  of  heathen  lands ; 
Though  the  end  thou  canst  not  see, 
Take  thy  cross  and  follow  me." 

3.  ["Pray  without  ceasing."  1  Thess.  5  :.17.] 

"  Tick-tock,  tick-tock  1" 
Hear  the  Missionary  Clock. 
"  Three  "  it  striketh,  true  and  strong  ; 
Prayer  the  burden  of  its  song : 

"Pray,  oh,  pray!"  'tis  ever  saying; 
"  Pray,  oh,  pray,  nor  cease  thy  praying : 
Pray  at  morn,  at  noon,  at  night ; 
Pray  to  know  and  to  do  the  right ; 
Pray  for  guidance,  strength  and  peace  ; 
Pray,  nor  e'er  thy  praying  cease!" 

4.  ["Keep  yourselves  from  idols."'  1  John  5  :  21.] 

"  Tick-tock,  tick-tock !" 
Hear  the  Missionary  Clock. 
"  Four"  it  striketh:  " Let  there  be 

In  thy  heart  no  gods  but  me. 

Keep  yourselves  from  idols,  tearing 
From  my  throne  all  loves,  nor  sparing 
E'en  the  dearest,  if  it  be 
Growing  'twixt  thy  love  and  me  ; 

For  a  jealous  God  am  I, 

Yearning  o'er  you  lest  ye  die." 

t>.  ["  The  field  is  the  world."  Matt.  13  :  38.] 

"  Tick-tock,  tick-tock !" 
Hear  the  INIissionary  Clock. 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISES.  lOH 

"  Five  "  it  striketh  :  "  Lift  thine  eyes, 
Lo,  the  field  before  thee  lies  I 

Go  thou  forth  with  seed  for  sowing; 

Where  the  Eastern  skies  are  glowing, 

Where  the  Western  rivers  flow  : 

O'er  the  broad  earth  shalt  thou  go. 
Haste  the  Master's  work  to  do  ; 
The  field  is  broad,  the  laborers  few." 

6.       ["Thrust  in  thy  sickle  and  reap."  Rev.  14  :  16.] 
"  Tick-tock,  tick-took !" 
Hear  the  Missionary  Clock. 
"  Six  "  it  striketh,  full  and  deep : 
"  Thrust  thy  sickle  in  and  reap. 

Lo !  afar  the  fields  are  gleaming 
White  unto  the  harvest,  seeming 
Ready  for  the  reapers ;  why 
Stand  you  thus  so  idly  by  ? 
Eouse  ye,  dreamers,  from  your  sleep ; 
Thrust  your  sickles  in  and  reap  !" 

7.  ["Come  over  into  Macedonia  and  help  us."  Acta  16  :  9.] 
"  Tick-tock,  tick-tock !" 
Hear  the  Missionary  Clock. 
"  Seven  "  it  striketh  ;  and  its  call. 
Piercing,  urgent,  comes  to  all : 

"  Come  and  help  us  !"  they  are  crying, 
"  Come  and  help,  for  we  are  dying  ; 
Give  your  prayers  or  give  your  gold, 
Labor,  time  nor  strength  withhold  ; 
Help  us  howsoe'er  you  may ; 
Only  come  and  help,  we  pray  !" 

8.    ["  I  will  require  my  flock  at  their  hand."  Ezek.  34  :  10.] 
"  Tick-tock,  tick-tock !" 
Hear  the  Missionary  Clock. 
"  Eight "  it  striketh  :  words  of  fire : 
"  At  thy  hand  I  will  require 


1 10  MISSIONARY    KXKIUM.SFvS. 

All  my  flock!     Oh,  heed  the  waruing! 

Turn  not  hence  with  idle  scorning; 

Unto  you  the  trust  is  given  ; 

Ye  must  point  the  way  to  heaven. 
Go,  and  seek,  and  find,  and  keep ; 
Ye  are  shepherds  of  my  sheep." 

9.  ["  I  shall  give  thee  the  heathen  for  tliiiie  inheritance."  Ps.  2  :  8.] 
"  Tick-tock,  tick-tock !" 
Hear  the  Missionary  Clock. 
"  Nine"  it  striketh ;  ere  'tis  done 
Hear  the  promise  to  the  Son  : 

"  I  will  ne'er  forsake  nor  leave  thee ; 
Ask  of  me  and  I  will  give  thee 
All  the  heathen  for  thine  own  ; 
They  shall  bow  before  my  throne  ; 
All  the  earth,  from  sea  to  sea. 
Thine  inheritance  shall  be." 

10.     ["In  due  season  we  shall  reap  if  we  faint  not."  Gal.  6  :  9.] 

"  Tick-tock,  tick-tock !" 
Hear  the  Missionary  Clock. 
"  Ten  "  it  striketh  ;  comfort  sweet, 
Grace  and  strength  to  faltering  feet : 
"  Weary  not  in  thy  well-doing, 
Day  by  day  thy  strength  renewing; 
In  due  season  ye  shall  reap 
If  ye  faint  not ;  therefore  keep 
Bravely  on,  with  steadfast  heart ; 
Trust  in  God,  and  do  thy  part." 

n.  ["  Believe  on  the  Lord  tiesus  Christ,  and  thou  shalt  he  saved."  AotB 

10  :  ;n.] 
"  Tick-tock,  tick-tock !" 
Hear  the  Missionary  Clock. 
"  Eleven  "  it  striketh  ;  solemnly 
Comes  its  charge  to  you  and  me : 
"  But  one  name  on  earth  is  given  ; 
But  one  w:iv  that  leads  to  heaven : 


DIALOGUKS    AND    EXERCISES.  Ill 

Jesus  Christ,  the  Father's  Son — 

He  will  save,  and  he  alone; 
By  the  blood  which  he  hath  shed 
Ye  are  ransomed  from  the  dead." 

12.  ["  I   am  with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world."  Matt 
28  :  20.] 

"  Tick-tock,  tick-tock !" 
Hear  the  Missionary  Clock. 
"  Twelve  "  it  striketh ;  and  its  beat 
Makes  the  mystic  round  complete : 
"  Lo !  I'm  with  you  alway,  even 
To  the  very  gates  of  heaven. 
I  will  strengthen  thee  and  bless ; 
I  will  comfort  in  distress ; 
All  thy  way  I  will  befriend ; 
1  will  keep  thee  to  the  end." 

Thus  the  Clock  with  every  lu)ur 
Speaks  with  soft,  persuasive  power. 
Ever,  through  the  silence  falling, 
We  may  hear  it,  calling,  calling; 
Even  now  it  seems  to  say, 
"  Little  children,  let  us  pray." 

Heavenly  Father,  hear  us  now. 

As  before  thy  throne  we  bow  ! 
May  we  feel  thy  dear  hand  pressing 
On  each  bowed  young  head  in  blessing — • 
Hear  thy  voice,  in  tenderest  tone, 
Calling  to  us,  one  by  one ! 

May  we  help  thy  name  to  carry, 

Each  a  little  missionary, 

Telling  of  our  Saviour's  love, 

Pointing  to  the  home  above  I 
Cleanse  our  hearts  before  we  go ; 
Wash  us  whiter  than  the  snow; 
Bless  us  all,  we  pray  again, 
For  dear  .Tesus's  sake.     Amen. 


112  MISSIONARY   EXERCISES. 

{By  special  permission.) 

SONG   OF  THE  "WILLING  WORKERS." 

By  Mrs.  Louise  Kinney. 
[The  first  six  verses  should  be  recited  by  different  members  of 
the  Band.  The  remaining  four  are  to  be  sung,  eitlier  by  the  Band 
in  concert  or  by  individual  members,  the  Band  joining  in  tne  cho- 
rus at  the  close  of  each  verse.  Sing  to  tune  "Only  a  litl  i  Spar- 
row," in  Sunshine,  by  Mr.  P.  P.  Bliss.] 

1.  Only  a  little  penny  ! 

Yet  with  assurance  sweet. 
Fearing  no  scorn,  we  lay  it 

Down  at  dear  Jesus'  feet, 
Saving  for  him  a  portion 

Out  of  our  slender  store ; 
Joyfully  giving  our  pennies, 

If  we  can  do  no  more. 

2.  Only  a  little  penny  ! 

Poor  in  itself  we  know ; 
Yet,  if  we  patiently  gather. 

Pennies  to  pounds  may  grow ; 
Little  by  little  increasing 

Unto  a  goodly  sum, 
Just  as  the  tiny  streamlets 

Rivers  and  lakes  become. 

3.  Only  a  little  minute! 

Gone  like  some  swift-winged  bird, 
The  sweep  of  whose  airy  pinions 

The  silence  scarce  has  s:irred. 
Only  a  little  minute  1 

Yet  'tis  a  precious  gem 
Which  the  dear  Lord  ha'  h  lent  us, 

That  we  may  use  for  h  im. 

4.  Only  a  little  minute  ! 

Yet  there  is  time  to  lift 
A  whispered  prayer  to  Jesus, 
Winning  the  Spirit's  gift — 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISES.  113 

Time  for  a  word  of  comfort, 

Time  for  a  kindly  deed, 
Time  by  the  way  to  scatter 

Many  a  precious  seed. 

6.  Only  ten  little  fingers  ! 

Not  very  strong,  'tis  true  ; 
Yet  there  is  work  for  Jesus 

Such  little  hands  may  do. 
What  though  it  be  but  humble, 

Winning  no  word  of  praise, 
We  are  but  little  children, 

Working  in  little  ways. 

6.  Only  ten  little  fingers ! 

But  little  things  may  grow. 
And  little  hands,  now  helpless, 

Will  not  be  always  so ; 
And,  if  we  train  them  early 

Unto  his  work  alone. 
They  will  do  greater  service 

When  they  are  stronger  grown. 

7.  Only  a  band  of  children  ! 

Sitting  at  Jesus'  feet, 
Fitting  ourselves  to  enter 

Into  his  service  sweet. 
Softly  his  voice  is  calling  : 
"  Little  one,  come  unto  me ! 
Stay  not,  though  weak  and  helpless ; 

Child,  I  have  need  of  thee  !" 

Chorus :  Only  a  band  of  children  1 
Sitting  at  Jesus'  feet, 
Fitting  ourselves  to  enter 
Into  his  service  sweet. 

8.  Take  us,  dear  Saviour,  take  us 

Into  thy  heavenly  fold  ! 
Keep  our  young  feet  from  straying 
Out  in  the  dark  and  cold; 


114  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

Call  us  thy  "  Little  Helpers," 
Glad  in  thy  work  to  share ; 

Make  us  thine  own  dear  children. 
Worthy  thy  Name  to  bear. 

9.  Only  a  band  of  children ! 

Sitting  at  Jesus'  feet, 
Fitting  ourselves  to  enter 

Into  his  service  sweet ; 
Seeking  his  light  to  guide  us 

Wherever  the  way  is  dim, 
Learning  his  beautiful  lessons, 

Longing  to  be  like  him, 

10.  Oh,  with  pure  hearts  and  lowly 
Help  us,  dear  Lord,  to  go ; 
Bearing  the  glad,  sweet  story 

Unto  sad  hearts  below  ; 
And  reaching  the  pearly  portals, 
May  the  welcome  sweet  be  given  : 
"  Pass  through  the  gates,  my  children ; 
Of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 


(By  specixxl  pei-nmsion.) 

THE  PLEA  OF  THE  NATIONS. 

By  Mrs.  Louise  Kinney. 
[The  heathen  nations  are  personated  by  young  ladies  or  chil- 
dren.    Each  advances  to  the  front  in  turn  and  presents  her  plea. 
If  desired,  upon  retiring  (he  liymn  "  Behold  the  Nations  Kneel- 
ing" may  be  sung.] 

Japan. — 

"  Across  the  sea,  full  many  a  mile. 
From  far  Japan's  sea-girded  isle, 
/come,  O  Christian  friends!  to  plead 
My  country's  dire  and  urgent  need: 
Teach  us  to  tear  our  idols  down. 
And  give  unto  i/our  God  the  crown." 


DIALOGUES   AND    EXERCISES.  1J5 

China. — 

"  /  come  from  China.     Dark  and  deep 
Pacific's  rolling  billows  sweep 
'Twixt  your  fair  land  and  mine,  where  now 
Unnumbered  millions  blindly  bow, 
And  prayers  are  poured  and  vows  are  paid 
To  gods  which  their  own  hands  have  made." 

Siam. — 

"  /come  from  shores  of  far  Siam. 
Our  land  is  fair  with  fig  and  palm ; 
But  darkness  deeper  than  the  night 
Enshrouds  her  hills  and  valleys  bright. 
Oh,  for  the  Christian's  light  to  shine 
Upon  this  poor  loved  land  of  mine !" 

India. — 

"  J  come  from  India's  ancient  land. 
Her  forests,  vales  and  mountains  grand 
With  idol  temples  are  defiled ; 
The  air  is  rent  with  mournings  wild ; 
And  suffering  women  live  and  die 
In  hopeless,  hapless  misery. " 

Persia. — 

"  From  Persia's  sunny  vales  /come. 
No  longer  may  our  lips  be  dumb ! 
The  days  and  years  are  fleeting  by, 
And  we  in  heathen  darkness  die. 
Oh,  haste  the  Bread  of  Life  to  give, 
That  Persia  too  may  eat  and  live !" 

Syria. — 

"  From  Syria's  sacred  shores  /  come — 
The  land  your  Saviour  called  his  own, 
Yet  where  his  holy  feet  once  trod 
They  know  not  of  the  living  God  I 
O  Christian  people !  heed  our  call ; 
Teach  us  of  Him  who  died  fur  all." 


I  16  MISSIONARY    EXEKUISES. 

Africa. — 

"  From  Afric's  darkened  shores  am  /.• 
Hark !  bear  ye  not  that  mournful  cry  ? 
There  human  blood  is  daily  shed, 
And  living  souls  are  as  the  dead. 
Oh,  haste  and  help  to  free  our  land 
From  Error's  dread,  despotic  hand." 

South  America. — 

"  Not  from  the  distant  Orient  I: 
Our  land  lies  'neath  your  own  fair  sky. 
Yet  South  America  has  needs. 
And  earnestly,  0  Christians !  pleads 
For  help  to  break  the  chains  that  bind, 
And  life's  immortal  way  to  find." 

North  American  Indian. — 

"  This  noble  land  /  call  my  home. 
And  free  its  hills  and  forests  roam. 
But  I  have  heard  the  white  man  pray 
And  seek  to  know  the  living  way. 
Oh,  come  and  teach  the  Indian  brave 
How  your  Great  Spirit  waits  to  save.' 

Mexico. — 

"  From  Mexico's  hill-girded  shores 
/come,  a  suppliant  at  your  doors. 
Haste,  with  the  Spirit's  flaming  sword  ; 
Haste,  in  the  name  of  Christ  the  Lord  ; 
And  help  our  fettered  land  to  free 
From  Rome's  dark  craft  and  tyranny." 


( By  .spcc/a/  perniUsionA 

A    MISSIONARY    HYMN. 
By  Mrs.  Louise  Kinney. 
1.  Behold  the  nations  kneeling 

'Neath  far-off  Eastern  skies  I 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISES.  117 

They  call  to  us  appealing  : 

Oh  hear  their  mournful  cries. 
"  Our  land,"  they  say,  "  is  shrouded 

In  darkness  and  in  gloom ; 
Our  eyes,  with  tears  beclouded. 

Look  forth  to  hopeless  doom." 

2.  Hark!  hark!  what  strains  of  anguish 
Seem  mingling  with  that  cry  1 — 
"Must  we,  unaided,  languish? 
All  unforgiven  die  ? 
Our  gods,  they  do  not  answer ; 

In  vain  for  help  we  sue ; 
Oh  tell  us  of  your  Saviour  ! 
Will  he  not  save  us  too?" 

3    O  Christians  !  do  ye  hear  it, 

That  cry  from  o'er  the  sea? 
The  swift  winds  haste  to  bear  it, 

Yet  slow  to  help  are  ye. 
Arouse  ye  from  your  slumbers  ; 

The  time  wears  fast  away. 
And  souls  in  countless  numbers 

Are  perishing  to-day. 


SONG  AND  RECITATION. 


S 


HINE 

ERVE    FOR  JESUS. 


PEAK 


( To  be  printed  on  a  BlnckboanL) 


1J8  MlSSloNAKV    I'.XKHCISES. 

Recitation. —    "  Jesus  bids  us  shine 

With  a  pure,  clear  light, 
Like  a  little  candle 

Burning  in  the  night 
In  a  world  of  darkness 

So  we  must  shine, 
You  in  your  small  corner, 

And  I  in  mine. 

"  Jesus  bids  us  shine, 

First  of  all,  for  him  ; 
Well  he  sees  and  knows  it 

If  our  light  grow  dim. 
He  looks  down  from  heaven 

To  see  us  shine, 
You  in  your  small  corner. 

And  I  in  mine. 

"  Jesus  bids  us  shine 

Then  for  all  around: 
Many  kinds  of  darkness 

In  the  world  arc  found — 
Sin  and  want  and  sorrow  ; 

So  wc  must  shine, 
You  in  your  small  corner, 

And  I  in  mine." 

Recite. — "  Let  your  liglit  so  shine  before  men,  that 
they  may  see  your  good  works,  and  glorify  your  Fa- 
ther which  is  in  heaven."  Matt.  5  :  16. 

Sing. —  "We'll  gird  our  loins,  my  brethren  dear, 
Our  distant  home  discerning; 
Our  absent  Lord  has  left  us  word, 
Let  every  lamp  be  burning. 

Chorus :  "  For  oh,  we  stand  on  Jordan's  strand ; 
Our  friends  are  passing  over. 
And,  just  before,  the  shining  shore 
Wc  mav  almost  di.scovcr." 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXKRCISES.  119 

Recite. — "If  any  man  serve  me,  let  him  follow  me; 
and  where  I  am,  there  shall  also  my  servant  be;  if 
any  man  serve  me,  him  will  my  Father  honor."  John 
12  :  26. 

Sing. —     "  Work,  for  the  night  is  coming, 

Work  through  the  sunny  noon  ; 
Fill  brightest  hours  with  labor  ; 

Rest  comes  sure  and  soon. 
Give  every  flying  minute 

Something  to  keep  in  store ; 
Work,  for  the  night  is  coming, 

AVhen  man  works  no  more."' 

Recite. — "  My  mouth  sliall  speak  the  praise  of  the 
Lord."  Ps.  145  :  21. 

Sing. —  "Never  be  afraid  to  speak  for  .Jesus; 
Think  how  much  a  word  can  do ; 
Never  be  afraid  to  own  your  Saviour, 
He  who  loves  and  cares  for  you. 

Chorus :    "  Never  be  afraid,  never  be  afraid, 
Never,  never,  never; 
Jesus  is  your  loving  Saviour, 
Therefore  never  be  afraid." 

Recite  in  Concert. — 

"  Jesus,  show  us  how  to  be 
Brightly  shining  lights  for  thee. 

"Show  us  how  to  serve  thee  here, 
E'en  on  earth,  our  Saviour  dear. 

"  May  we  speak  for  thee  each  day 
Words  of  kindness  by  the  way." 

—  Children's  Work /or  Children. 


120  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  EXERCISE. 

[This  exercise  was  arranged  for  a  Band  at  Rock  Spring,  Pa.,  bj 
an  invalid,  and  may  readily  suggest  similar  ones  on  other  topics.] 

Who  was  Fidelia  Fiske  9 

An  American  missionary  to  Persia. 

Early  home  ? 

A  one-story  farm-house  among  the  hills  of  Massa- 
chusetts. 

Parents  ? 

Intelligent  and  pious — took  special  pains  to  instruct 
their  family  in  the  Bible. 

Religious  impressions  ? 

In  early  childhood  religious  truth  impressed  her; 
she  united  with  the  church  at  fifteen. 

Mental  qualities? 

In  the  country  schools  she  thoroughly  mastered  the 
branches  taught — was  more  fond  of  conquering  diffi- 
culties herself  than  of  being  helped  over  them. 

Reading  ? 

She  early  read  all  the  excellent  books  of  her  father's 
library. 

Interest  in  missions  ? 

While  a  little  girl  she  eagerly  heard  letters  read  from 
her  uncle,  a  missionary  in  Palestine.  She  once  told 
her  mother  that  she  had  been  playing  missionary,  and 
had  been  to  Jerusalem  on  a  wheelbarrow.  She  also 
read  mission  journals  with  great  delight. 

Determination  to  go  to  Persia  ? 

Her  note  to  Miss  Lyon  simply  said,  "  If  considered 
worthy  I  would  like  to  go." 

Consent  of  he)'  mother  f 

Saturday,  p.  m..  Miss  Lyon  and  herself  were  in  an 
oj)en  sleigh  ;  thirty  miles ;  upset  in  snow-drifts ;  reach- 
ed Shelbourne  at  eleven   at  night.     Before  the  next 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISES.  121 

evening    her  mother    said    to  her,   "  Go,  my    child, 

go.'; 

From  what  "port  did  she  sail  f 

Boston. 

When  f 

1843. 

Age? 

Twenty-seven. 

How  long  in  reaching  Trebizond  ? 

Two  months. 

Where  is  Trebizond  f 

To  what  Persian  city  bound  ? 

Oroomiah. 

Distance  from  Trebizond  to  Oroomiah  ? 

Eight  hundred  miles. 

How  travel  f 

How  many  missionaries  f 

Six,  who,  with  those  in  charge  of  liorses  and  bag- 
gage, made  a  company  of  twenty  on  horseback. 

^Tiat  did  Miss  Fishe  write  home  f 

"Being  all  mounted,  we  wished  you  could  see  us 
and  enjoy  our  happiness." 

What  of  the  route  ? 

Mountainous;  Koordish  robbers;  no  hotels  or  com- 
fortable farm-houses  to  entertain  them  ;  they  carried 
tents  and  provisions  with  them. 

Why  ivilUag  to  oidare  such  hardshirps  ? 

How  long  in  reaching  Oroomiah  ? 

One  month  ;  three  from  Boston. 

Among  what  people  did  she  labor  f 

Among  women.  Often  found  working  in  field  with 
babe  on  back  :  evenings  getting  supper  for  husband, 
taking  his  leavings ;   often  beaten  and  driven  away. 

Dwellings  ? 

Single  room:  \w\\(\  floor;  opening  in  roof  serves  for 


122  ^rIs.sT(>^^\Ilv  kxfucisfs. 

window  ;in(l  cliimney;  beds,  a  few  quilts  on  floor; 
houses  and  i>eoplc  covered  with  vermin. 

What  did  Miss  Fiske  establish  at  Oroomiah  ? 

Were  her  pupils  from  such  homes  as  described  ? 

What  did  she  saj/  of  them  when  first  taken  as  boarders  f 

Filthy  as  bensts;  they  lie  as  fast  as  they  can  speak. 

Why  was  she  pleased  to  teach  children  so  disagreeable  f 

What  did  she  teach  in  her  seminary  f 

First  the  Bible,  two  hours  each  day  ;  secular  branches 
as  in  our  schools;  housework;  the  boarders  did  their 
own  cooking,  washing,  etc. 

Were  not  her  labors  more  arduous  than  with  our  teachers  ? 

Why  did  she  visit  many  towns  f 

To  read  the  Bible  and  hold  prayer-meetings. 

Did  she  think  a  missionary  lady  should  be  a  good  house- 
keeper f 

She  writes :  "  I  ain  as  surely  doing  missionary  work 
when  providing  good  food  as  when  holding  a  prayer- 
meeting,  for  a  missionary's  usefulness  depends  much 
on  health,  and  health  on  suitable  food." 

Can  we  seroe  God  in  the  kitchen  as  well  as  in  the  closet  f 

What  of  her  vacations  ? 

She  had  sometimes  charge  of  her  girls  all  vacation, 
often  superintending  repairs  of  building. 

When  English  and  Russian  commissioners  to  the  Persian 
court  were  entertained  by  Dr.  Perkins,  what  impression  did 
Miss  Fiske  make  ? 

She  commanded  the  high  respect  of  the  distinguish- 
ed nobles  by  showing  herself  equal  to  any  position  in 
the  social  circle. 

What  does  Dr.  Perkins  say  of  her  f 

"  Our  dear  sister  is  as  gifted  in  entertaining  princes 
as  in  sitting  on  a  mud  floor  teaching  degraded  women  ; 
with  like  ease  she  cares  for  her  house  and  school  and 
directs  a  dozen  men  repairing  the  building."     So  Fi- 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISES.  123 

delia  Fiske  was  teacher  and  housekeeper;  a  mother 
t<)  her  pupils,  providing  their  food  and  clothes ;  con- 
ducted religious  meetings  among  her  sex;  much  in 
the  sick-room  ;  wrote  many  letters  to  home  friends ; 
often  had  charge  of  men  working  on  her  school- 
building. 

Why  was  it  necessary  that  one  delicate  woman  should 
have  charge  of  such  varied  work  ? 

"  The  harvest  was  great,  but  the  laborers  few." 

Is  it  not  still  so,  and  to-day  are  not  many  noble  mission- 
uries  overtaxed  ? 

Was  not  Miss  Fiske  wonderfully  gifted  by  nature  and 
grace  ? 

Are  talent  and  education  as  necessary  to  a  misssionary  as 
piety  ? 

To  all  hei'  labors  what  did  Fidelia  Fiske  add  f 

Unceasing  prayer  with  and  for  her  pupils,  and  con- 
stant looking  for  God  to  fulfill  his  promise. 

What  did  she  write  home  ? 

"  I  gave  up  America  for  Christ,  and  to  Christ  I  look 
for  success." 

What  of  her  success  ? 

Year  after  year  God  visited  her  school  and  renewed 
many  hearts. 

What  was  the  evidence  of  this  ? 

The  little  girls  were  so  anxious  about  their  souls  as 
to  be  often  unable  to  study  or  eat;  uninvited  they 
would  come  in  groups  of  twenty  to  Miss  Fiske  to  talk 
about  Christ. 

What  was  remarkable  in  the  yoxmg  converts  ? 

Their  prayerfulness,  often  having  little  prayer- 
meetings.  Miss  Fiske  was  often  deeply  moved  by 
hearing  their  young  voices  in  closet  prayer  at  a  late 
hour  of  the  night. 

Were  they  concerned,  for  others  ? 


124  MISSIONARY    EXKRC'ISP:s. 

They  hold  i>rayer-ineetings  for  the  con\ersion  of 
their  parents. 

What  of  a  rough  mountaineer  who  visited  his  dang/itr 
in  the  school  f 

The  little  girls  formed  a  circle  round  him,  and  ag 
one  and  another  plead  with  God  for  his  soul  the  strong 
man  wept,  and  soon  found  Christ. 

How  only  can  you  get  a  correct  idea  of  Fidelia  Piske  ? 

By  reading  her  life,  wliich  abounds  in  thrilling  in- 
cidents. 

What  of  her  last  ananuinion  in  Persia  ? 

She  sat  down  at  the  Lord's  table  with  ninety-three 
Nestorian  women,  witli  all  of  whom  but  one  she  had 
at  some  time  talked  and  prayed. 

How  many  Nestorian  women  were  Christians  ivhen  k}i6 
ivent  to  Persia  f 

Not  one.  We  cannot  all  l)e  missionaries,  but  if  tliis 
society  supports  missions  by  mone_v  and  prayer,  is  it 
not  doing  missionary  work  as  truly  as  the  laborers  on 
the  field? 

How  long  was  Fidelia  Fiske  in  Persia  7 

Fifteen  vears. 


GOING  TO  PERSIA. 

[The  nipiiihers  nftlie  Bund  :ii'e  seated  in  i;r()ii|is.  swiim.  i;ilki)is;, 
etc.,  wlien  two  tardy  ones,  Kate  and  Annie,  enter.] 

Kate. — Oh,  girls,  we've  some  news  for  you !  You  re- 
member Fanny  Evart,  who  graduated  at  Vassar  last 
year,  and  who  has  this  winter  been  studying  music 
and  painting  in  New  York  ? 

Annie  (interrupting). — We  met  her  as  we  were  com- 
ing this  afternoon,  and  she  told  us  she  Had  just  come 
home  to  get  ready  to  go  to  Persia  as  a  missionary, 
If^n't  that  the  strangest  news  ? 


DIALOGUKS    Ax\D    EXKKCl.SES.  126 

Carrie. — Nonsense,  Annie  !  the  idea  of  her  giving  up 
her  beautiful  home  and  leaving  all  her  friends !  I  can't 
believe  it. 

Kate. — You  will  believe  it  when  you  see  her;  and 
when  we  told  her  our  Band  met  this  afternoon  she 
said  she  would  come  over  and  tell  us  all  about  it.  Ah  ! 
here  she  comes. 

Fanny. — Has  Annie  told  you  that  I  am  going  to 
Persia?  I  think  she  has,  for  you  all  look  astonished, 
I  see.  You  never  thought  such  a  high-flyer  as  I,  would 
ever  do  missionary  work,  did  you  ? 

Sarah. — Why,  Fanny,  I  never  supposed  anything  less 
than  a  life  in  Washington  would  satisfy  your  ambition. 

Bertha. — Oh,  girls,  just  fancy  Fanny  Evart  dressed 
in  anything  but  the  latest  style  !  think  of  her  sur- 
rounded by  thirty  or  forty  uncouth  little  Nestorian 
children! — Shall  you  teach  them  painting,  Fan? 

Emma. — I  should  think  there  were  others  that  could 
go  instead  of  you — those  that  haven't  any  friends  nor 
so  much  to  give  up  as  you. 

Fanny. — Why,  girls,  how  can  you  talk  so?  Does  the 
Bible  say,  "  Go,  ye  who  are  friendless  and  poor,  ye 
who  thereby  make  no  sacrifices?"  How  many,  think 
you,  would  go?  I  feel  that  it  is  a  glorious  work,  and, 
though  one  of  sacrifices,  one  of  great  recompense.  I 
may  be  poorly  fitted  for  the  work,  Init  I  can  give  my- 
self to  Jesus,  and  be  glad  to  do  in  a  feeble  way  what 
otherwise  might  not  be  done  at  all. 

Agnes. — I  think  Fanny  is  right ;  and,  girls,  this  crit- 
icism of  mission-power  that  is  often  made  in  a  depre- 
ciating tone  is  cruelly  unjust  and  untrue. 

Minnie. — As  a  class,  the  missionaries  are  obliged  to 
be,  by  the  necessities  of  the  case,  men  of  training  as 
well  as  heart.  Let  the  doubtful  attempt  the  attain- 
ment of  sufficient  Arabic  or  Indian  learning  to  preach 


J  26  MlSsloXAlvV    KXEUCIMCS. 

the  gospel  readily  in  the  native  dialects  of  Asia  ot 
Alrica. 

Sarah  (pointing  out  the  route  on  a  map). — If  I  were 
going  to  be  a  missionar}'  I  wouldn't  go  to  Persia.  Do 
you  know  how  long  and  tedious  the  journey  is?  For 
weeks  tossed  on  the  ocean  and  sea,  then  a  journey  of 
four  weeks  from  Trebizond  to  Oroomiah  upon  a  cam- 
el's back,  over  mountains,  through  deserts  and  across 
bridgeless  rivers  ! 

Bertha. — Persia,  consequently,  is  so  shut  in  tliat  our 
missionaries  there  scarcely  ever  see  American  travel- 
ers. Now,  when  trips  across  the  Continent  and  around 
the  world  are  not  uncommon,  our  missionaries  in  Chi- 
na and  Japan  may  hope  to  have  their  hearts  cheered 
occasionally  by  the  sight  of  some  friend. 

Emma. — The  people,  too,  are  perfectly  uncivilized. 
Why,  they  live  in  mud  huts  without  any  windoAvs ; 
eat  with  their  fingers,  sitting  on  the  floor ;  and  women 
are  treated  with  no  more  kindness  and  consideration 
tlian  cattle!  Every  form  of  iniquity  prevails:  lying 
is  universal.  The  government  of  the  country  is  des- 
potic, a  coarse,  degraded  shall  ruling  the  people,  witli 
no  desire  to  lift  them  i'rom  their  wretched  condition. 

Fanny. — This  is  all  true,  but  can  nothing  1)C  done 
for  these  degraded  ones?  Much  has  already  ])een  ac- 
complished, and  a  thousand- fold  more  may  be.  Do 
you  know  that  it  is  only  forty  years  since  the  Amer- 
ican Board  sent  a  missionary  to  the  Nestorians? 
Through  the  eflforts  of  missionaries  the  Scriptures 
have  been  translated,  schools  established,  churches 
organized  and  a  native  ministry  trained,  by  which  the 
gospel  is  now  preached  to  the  people,  and,  as  a  result, 
thousands  have  been  converted. 

Kate. — I  never  was  so  interested  in  missions  as 
now,  and  it  seems  as  if  there  never  was  so  much  ac- 


DiAlAXiUES    AND    KXKKCISKS.  127 

complished.  Papa  was  reading  only  last  evening  the 
progress  Japan  is  making.  The  government,  which 
has  adopted  the  Christian  Sabbath,  not  only  amply 
protects  our  missionaries,  but  is  now  considering  the 
question  of  giving  all  religions  full  liberty  of  worship. 
Tlie  country  seems  ready  to  pass  at  once  from  the  four- 
teenth into  th.e  nineteenth  century. 

Annie. — No  less  than  forty  thousand  children  of  tiie 
Fiji  Islanders  are  now  in  Sunday-school,  and  thou- 
sands of  the  people  are  consistent  Christians,  yet  it  is 
liut  forty  years  since  these  people  were  cannibals. 

Julia. — In  Madagascar  the  whole  land  is  open  to  the 
missionaries,  idolatry  is  overthrown  and  Christianity 
is  proclaimed  to  be  the  religion  of  the  people. 

Bertha. — This  missionary  work  always  seemed  to 
me  incomprehensible.  I  never  could  get  interested 
in  the  heathen — never  see  how  anything  could  be  ac- 
complished, the  field  is  so  large  and  laborers  so  few. 
Why,  if  all  the  Christians  of  America  would  start  out 
and  try  and  christianize  the  heathen,  I  should  feel  that 
something  could  be  done;  but  now  only  a  few  hun- 
dreds of  missionaries  to  millions  of  people  ! 

Agnes. — You  remind  me  of  the  man  I  read  of  the 
other  day  who  had  twelve  children,  and  wouldn't  let 
any  of  them  go  to  school  till  all  were  old  enough ;  for 
tlien,  he  said,  he  could  see  tliat  a  great  and  rapid  work 
was  being  accomplished. 

Minnie. — Suppose  Columbus  had  waited  till  all  liis 
countrymen  were  fired  with  his  enthusiasm  and  were 
ready  to  go  with  him;  when,  think  3'OU,  would  our 
America  have  been  discovered? 

Fanny. — You  forget  that  it  is  not  intended  that  this 
work  shall  be  done  wholly  and  directly  by  mission- 
aries sent  by  us.  The  converts  made  become  preach- 
ers among  their  own  people,  and  very  faithful  and 


128  MISSIONARY    EXKR(_'I.SP:S. 

•  Ificient  ones  too;  and  so  we  hope  at  no  very  distant 
tlay  the  work  will  be  left  wholly  to  natives. 

Kate. — Nine-tenths  of  the  work  now  being  done  in 
Eurmah  is  in  the  hands  of  native  preachers. 

Annie. — In  a  school  of  Massachusetts  there  are  now 
numbers  of  young  men  being  educated  and  fitted  for 
missionaries  at  the  expense  of  their  own  government : 
isn't  it  wonderful  ? 

Carrie  (lazily). — Well,  I  don't  know  but  I  am  per- 
suaded there  is  work  to  do,  and  somebody  ought  to 
do  it ;  but  I  don't  think  I  am  quite  ready  to  start  for 
Persia  or  any  other  heathen  land. — Are  you,  Mary? — 
There  is  enough  to  do  right  here  at  home,  it  seems 
to  me. 

Mary. — I  think  there  is  a  great  deal  that  we  can  do 
at  home ;  but  let  us  not  be  of  the  multitude  who  excuse 
themselves  from  helping  on  the  work  of  foreign  mis- 
sions because  there  is  so  much  wickedness  in  our  own 
land.  There  will  always  he  those  who  might  hear  the 
gospel,  but  will  not. 

Minnie. — That's  right,  Mary ;  if  there  are  millions 
of  people  in  heathen  darkness  who  have  not  the  gospel 
and  know  nothing  of  Christ  and  his  salvation,  are  wo 
not  responsible  if  we  do  not  go  or  help  send  substitutes 
to  carry  the  glad  news  ? 

Agnes. — We  must  not  do  less,  but  more,  eacli  year, 
as  new  fields  are  being  opened  to  us,  and  the  cry, 
"Come  over  and  help  us,"  sounds  louder  and  louder. 
Let  us  promise  that  we  will  the  coming  year  do  more 
than  ever  before. 

Answer  (from  all). — We  will! — Good  Times. 


What  do  the  heathen  loorship  ? 

Idols  of  silver  and  gold,  the  work  of  men's  hands. 


DIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISES.  129 

Desa'ibe  them. 

They  have  mouths,  but  they  speal  not ;  eyes  have 
they,  but  they  see  not ;  they  have  ears,  but  they  hear 
not;  7io.ses  have  they,  but  they  smell  not ;  feet  liave  they, 
but  they  ^oalk  not. 

Who  are  like  them  f 

They  that  make  them  are  like  unto  them.  80  is 
every  one  that  trusteth  in  them. 


POLITICAL  CHANGES  OF  THE  WORLD, 

AND 

THEIR   EFFECT    UP(JN   MISSIONS. 

Mamie. — Another  new  year  has  daAvned  upon  us, 
and  tlie  old  _year  has  gone  up  with  its  record  to  God. 
Let  us  look  Itack  upon  the  great  world  and  see  what 
things  God  has  been  doing  to  advance  his  cause. 

Mollie. — I  know  we  have  many  beautiful  promises, 
such  as  these :  "  I  will  give  thee  the  heathen  for  thine 
inheritance,  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for 
tliy  possession;"  and  "The  kingdoms  of  this  world 
are  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  of  his 
Clirist;"  and  "  His  dominion  shall  be  from  sea  to  sea, 
and  from  the  river,  even  to  the  ends  of  the  earth." 

Mamie. — The  Spirit  of  God  seems  truly  to  be  moving 
upon  the  waters,  and  the  battles  being  fought  are  those 
of  faiths  and  systems  and  ideas.  The  sleep  of  ages  is 
being  broken.  May  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  break 
away  the  mists  and  bring  the  clear  light  of  God's  truth 
to  all  nations ! 

Mollie. — In  our  own  country  the  Indians,  so  long 
existing  as  a  distinct  nation,  have  adhered  to  the  relig- 
ion of  their  fathers  to  a  great  extent,  and  only  througli 
the  long  and  faithful  work  of  the  missionary  have  some 
9 


130  MISSIONARY    EXKRCISKS. 

been  brou<jht  to  Christ.  This  year  o])eris  a  new  path 
of  freedom  for  them.  It  is  the  polic\y  of  our  govern- 
ment to  do  away  with  the  tribal  and  reservation  sys- 
tem, making  every  man  responsible  to  himself  and  to 
his  God,  instead  of  to  his  tribe ;  also  advancing  educa- 
tion by  furnishing  schools.  God  seems  to  be  sending 
other  nations  to  our  shores  to  be  fed  with  the  heaven- 
ly manna,  for  it  is  noted  that  thousands  a  day  have 
landed  here.  Our  outlook  as  a  nation  is  peaceful,  and, 
save  in  one  respect,  is  favorable  for  the  progress  of 
God's  kingdom. 

Mamie. — What  cloud  do  you  see  on  the  horizon  ? 
Mollie. — The  recent  action  of  our  government  in  re- 
spect to  Chinese  immigration. 

Mamie. — Let  us  remember  the  promise,  "The  crook- 
ed shall  be  made  straight,  and  the  rough  places  plain, 
and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be  revealed,  and  all 
flesh  shall  see  it  together."  What  may  be  said  of  the 
lands  across  the  sea? 

Mollie. — In  Japan  and  China  "  the  day  breaketh,  the 
shadows  are  fleeing  away,  and  the  mountain-tops  have 
caught  the  rays  of  the  Sun  of  Righteousness." 

Mamie. — India  has  long  been  the  stronghold  of  idol- 
atry, the  testing-field  of  all  the  great  religions — Buddh- 
ism, Brahminism,  Mohammedanism. 

Mollie. — What  have  they  done  for  that  country  ? 
Mamie. — They  have  held  the  land  in  darkness  and 
the  women  in  slavery.  England,  through  her  avarice, 
in  taking  possession  of  the  government  has  opened  a 
way  for  the  missionaries,  so  that  to-day  it  is  recognized 
that  the  missionary  force  has  proved  a  pacificator  and 
a  conservator.  One  of  their  papers  declared  that  this 
alone  kept  the  East  India  Company  from  making  ship- 
wreck of  the  splendid  British  possessions. 

Mollie. — The  European  missionary  is  daily  becoming 


DTAI.OOITKS    AND    KXEIiriRRS,  131 

B  more  important  link  between  the  government  and  the 
people.  He  is  confided  in  by  all  people  of  all  ranks, 
and  is  often  able  to  do  what  the  government  with  its 
mere  professions  of  neutrality  cannot  effect.  Prominent 
natives  testify  that  it  is  the  Bible  that  will  sooner  or 
later  regenerate  this  land. 

Mamie. — Tell  of  the  wicked  king  of  Burmah. 

Mollie. — He  was  stricken  with  disease,  and  for  its 
cure  his  superstitions  demanded  the  sacrifice  of  human 
olood ;  so  he  laid  upon  the  heathen  altar  one  thousand 
human  beings,  including  nearly  all  of  his  near  relatives. 
To  appease  the  wrath  of  his  people,  the  English  gov- 
ernment interfered  and  put  the  king  under  bonds. 
God  may  use  this  wickedness  for  his  own  honor  and 
glory  by  thus  bringing  this  otherwise  unnoticed  king- 
dom before  the  world. 

Mamie. — We  turn  from  this  dark  picture  to  the 
bright  future  of  Siam,  where  Buddhism  has  had  more 
absolute  sway  than  in  any  other  country,  and  where 
the  people  have,  as  is  spoken  of  in  Rom.  1,  '"changed 
the  glory  of  the  incorruptible  God  into  an  image  like 
to  corruptible  man,  and  to  birds,  and  four-footed  beasts, 
and  creeping  things  " — where  there  has  been  no  home, 
where  woman  has  been  a  drudge  and  many  of  the 
people  in  slavery.  To-day  we  can  rejoice  that  the  late 
king  was  a  man  of  progress,  and  tliat  his  son,  the 
present  king,  received  an  English  education. 

Mollie. — He  is,  I  believe,  next  to  the  mikado  of 
Japan  in  his  earnestness  for  the  civilization  of  his 
people,  and  adopts  the  European  dress.  He  has  given 
one  thousand  dollars,  and  his  nobles  twelve  hundred, 
toward  a  new  school-building  for  our  mission,  pro- 
claimed religious  liberty  to  the  Laos,  secured  the  ob- 
servance of  the  Sabbath,  and  made  one  of  the  mis- 
sionaries  superintendent  of  public  instruction,  with 


iri2  MISSION  A  It  Y    KXKKCISl-X 

a  salary  of  five  thousand  dollars  a  year.  Surely,  kings 
are  coming  to  the  briglitness  of  His  rising. 

Mamie. — In  Persia  the  year  has  been  full  of  events 
in  which  we  have  taken  a  deep  and  personal  interest. 
God  afflicted  that  land  with  a  sore  famine,  and,  sepa- 
rated as  she  was  from  all  means  of  help  from  neigh- 
l)0fing  countries,  her  own  government  takhig  advan- 
tage of  her  distress  to  enrich  itself,  her  i)eople  were 
thrown  upon  the  mercy  of  the  missionaries  to  save 
them  from  starvation.  God,  to  show  his  love  to  all, 
worked  through  his  followers  and  gave  to  the  perish- 
ing without  money  and  without  price. 

Mollie. — Not  only  famine,  but  also  war,  has  been 
their  portion.  The  wild  Koords  from  the  mountains, 
finding  sufficient  cause,  made  war  on  the  people,  but 
through  the  gratitude  of  the  sheik  toward  Dr.  Coch- 
rane for  his  professional  services,  a  warm  friendship 
sprang  up  betweei\  these  two,  so  that  when  the  trying 
time  came  God's  people  were  protected.  The  end  is 
not  yet.     We  cannot  tell  God's  purposes  in  this. 

Mamie. — Papal  Europe  is  astir  throughout  all  its  bor- 
ders. France,  Spain,  Austria,  Italy,  each  is  being  shaken 
to  its  centre  in  the  efibrt  to  be  free  from  the  slavery  of 
a  false  religion,  which  is  sliowing  itself  to  these  aroused 
people  in  all  its  horrors  ;  and  one  of  the  results  of  this 
is  the  expulsion  of  the  Jesuits  fi-om  France. 

Mollie. — The  Jews  have  claimed  a  large  part  of  the 
public  attention  for  a  few  years  past,  and  have  occu- 
pied positions  of  trust.  I  find  that  the  population 
has  increased  in  their  own  lands  within  a  short  time 
to  such  an  extent  that  in  the  city  of  Jerusalem  it  out- 
numbers the  Mohammedans  and  Christians  together. 
There  are  eight  millions  of  them  in  the  world,  and 
they  claim  pre-eminence  in  theology,  poetry  and 
music. 


PIALOGUES    AND    EXERCISKS.  133 

Mamie. — What  will  become  of  this  greut  nation  ? 

Mollie. — They  will  either  be  swept  away  by  the  huge 
wave  of  materialism  which  has  already  engulfed  many 
of  their  brightest  minds,  or  be  united  under  one  ban- 
ner, with  God  and  Jesus  Christ  as  tlieir  motto.  The 
various  societies  for  promoting  the  conversion  of  the 
Jews  have  been  able  to  bring  more  than  twenty  thou- 
s;)nd  proselytes  into  the  fold  of  Christ  since  the  begin- 
ning of  this  century. 

Mamie. — Is  there  not  some  encouraging  sign  con- 
cerning them? 

Mollie. — Yes,  in  the  last  six  months,  in  Hamadan, 
Persia,  forty  have  been  brought  to  believe  the  truth. 
Hamadan  is  their  capital,  and  it  is  thought  if  the 
Jews  of  that  city  become  Christians,  tliey  will  influ- 
ence all  the  Jews  of  Persia.  Pray  for  them,  and  so 
all  Israel  will  be  saved. 

Mamie. — God  says,  "  Listen,  0  isles,  unto  me :  and 
hearken,  ye  people  from  far."  In  all  this  great  work 
have  the  islands  of  the  sea  been  overlooked? 

Mollie. — Oh  no.  The  Sandwich  Islands  are  called 
Christian  ;  Madagascar  has  been  given  to  Christ  through 
the  influence  of  her  queen ;  Australia,  New  Guinea, 
New  Zealand,  New  Britain,  have  all  heard  of  Christ. 
A  native  catechist,  when  told  of  the  serpents  and  wild 
beasts  and  unheal thiness  of  some  of  the  islands,  said, 
'"  Hold  !  are  there  men  there  ?  That  will  do :  where 
there  are  men  the  missionary  is  bound  to  go."  Truly, 
the  islands  are  waiting  for  God's  law,  and  the  abun- 
dance of  the  sea  shall  soon  be  converted  unto  hiin. 
To  all  lands  God  says,  "If  the  Son  shall  make  you 
free,  you  shall  be  free  indeed." 

Mamie. — Is  there  nothing  we  can  do?  I  would  not 
be  laggard  in  the  world's  work  for  the  Master. 

Mollie. — Yes,  we  cnn  do  pompthing. 


134  MISSIONAKV    KXKKOISES. 

"  If  we  cannot  be  the  wiitchman, 

Standing  high  on  Zion's  wall, 
Pointing  out  the  path  to  heaven, 

Offering  life  and  peace  to  all, — 
With  our  prayers  and  with  our  bounties 

We  can  give  what  Heaven  demands ; 
We  can  be  like  faithful  Aaron, 

Holding  up  the  prophet's  hands," 


QUESTIONS  ANSWERED  FROM  THE  WORD. 

By  S.  J.  CoNDiCT. 

Little  children  early  seeking 

What  to  do  and  where  to  go — 
Is  there  light  to  guide  their  footsteps, 

And  a  pathway  plain  to  show  ? 

Auftioer.^''  Thy  word  is  a  lamp  unto  my  feet  and  a  light 
unto  my  path." 

f'/ion/a  for  each  veme. — 

Such  wondrous  words !  such  precious  words ! 

Oh  may  we  feel  their  truth  and  power ! 

Such  gracious  words !  such  glorious  words  ! 

Thank  God  for  them  in  this  glad  hour! 

Little  children  know  so  little 

Whom  to  follow,  whom  to  trust — 
Who  should  lead  them,  ever  faithful, 

Strong  and  willing,  wise  and  j'ust  ? 

Answer. — "Be    ye    therefore    followers   of    God    as    denr 
children." 

Little  children  are  so  careless, 

Like  the  lambs  so  full  of  glee — 
Will  they  listen  to  the  Shepherd 

Gently  calling,  "Follow  me  "? 


DIAI.OUUKS    AND    KXEUCISKS.  l;io 

Answe)'. — "  My  sheep  bear  my  voice,  and  I  know  them, 
and  they  follow  me." 

Little  children  will  keep  doing 

Things  they  know  are  wrong  each  day, 

Sinning  often,  though  so  sorry — 
Who  will  take  their  sins  away  ? 

Answer — "  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God,  which  taketh  away 
the  sins  of  the  world." 

Little  children,  oft  forgetful, 

Are  unloving  and  unkind — 
What  can  sweeten  hearts  so  selfish 

With  a  love  that  is  divine  ? 

Answer.  -"  If  God  so  loved  us,  we  ought  also  to  love  one 
another." 

Little  children,  loved  and  loving, 

Should  remember  not  a  few 
Live  unblessed  and  unbelieving— 

Cannot  such  know  Christ's  love  too  ? 

Answer. — "  How  then  shall  they  call  on  Him  in  whom 
they  have  not  believed?  and  how  shall 
they  believe  in  Him  of  whom  they  have 
have  not  heard?  and  how  shall  they  hear 
without  a  preacher?  and  how  shall  they 
preach  except  they  be  sent?" 

Little  children,  blest  and  grateful. 
Glad  their  light  and  love  to  share — 

Where  shall  they  the  gospel  tidings 
Send  with  faith  and  earnest  prayer  ? 

Answer. — "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  go? 
pel  to  every  creature." 

Little  children,  weak  and  timid, 
Everywhere  there's  much  to  do — 


186  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

Who  is  faithless?  who  is  fearful? 
Hark  what  Jesus  saith  to  you  ! 

Answer. — "  Lo,  I  am  with  you  always,  even  unto  the  end 
of  the  world  ;"  "  Fear  not,  little  flock ;  it  is 
your  Father's  good  pleasure  to  give  yuu 
the  kingdom." 

[Tune,  "  My  Sabbath  Song,"  in  Christian  Sonys.'] 


A  RESPONSIVE  EXERCISE. 

Areanged  by  H.  M.  J. 

[Song  or  recitation  for  two  cliilclren,  with  Scripture  interhidea 
by  the  whole  Band.] 

1  THINK,  when  I  read  that  sweet  story  of  old 

When  Jesus  was  here  among  men, 
How  he  called  little  children  as  lambs  to  his  fold, 

I  should  like  to  have  been  with  them  then. 

Z>'rt/tc/.— Matt.  18  :  1-5. 

I  wish  that  his  hands  had  been  placed  on  my  head; 

That  his  arm  had  been  thrown  around  me, 
That  I  might  have  seen  his  kind  look  when  he  said, 

■'  Let  the  little  ones  come  unto  me." 

Band.— Katt.  19  :  13  ;  Mark  10  :  IG. 

Yet  still  to  his  footstool  in  prayer  I  may  go, 

And  ask  for  a  share  of  his  love  ; 
And  if  I  thus  earnestly  seek  him  below, 

I  shall  see  him  and  hear  him  above. 

Jinnd.—?row.  8  :  17  ;  Matt.  5:8;  Rev.  22  :  4,  14. 

To  that  beautiful  place  he  has  gone  to  prepare 
For  all  wlio  are  washed  and  forgiven ; 


PFAI-OGUES    AND    EXERCISES.  137 

Ami  many  dear  children  are  gathering  there, 
For  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

Bami.— John  14  :  2,  3 ;  Matt.  19  :  14. 

An.-iiver. — 
'Tis  a  beautiful  story  the  Bible  has  told, 

And  happy  the  children  who  know 
The  way  that  leads  up  to  that  city  of  gold, 
And  the  door  Jesus  opened  below. 

Band.— Vs.  89  :  15,  IG. 

But  what  of  the  children  who  never  have  known 

Of  this  way  to  the  happy  land  ? — 
Who  are  bowing  to  idols  of  wood  and  of  stone 

Which  in  heathen  temples  stand  ? 

Band.—Fs.  115  :  4-8. 

They  tell  me  of  homes  so  sad  and  so  drear 

Far  over  the  ocean-wave ; 
No  welcome  is  found  for  a  daughter  there. 

Not  a  flower  for  a  baby's  grave. 

Ba)Hl.~F>i.  74  :  20;  .Ter.  10  :  14 ;  Rom.  1  :  31. 

Yet  Jesus  has  left  the  same  blessing  for  them 

Which  rests  on  my  own  little  head  : 
Isn't  somebody  going  to  tell  them  of  him, 

And  all  my  dear  Saviour  has  said  ? 

Band.— Rom.  10  :  14,  15. 

A II  together. — 

Yes,  yes ;  we  must  tell  that  sweet  story  of  old 

Till  all  the  poor  heathen  shall  know 
Jesus  calls  little  children  like  lambs  to  his  fold, 
And  shows  them  the  way  they  must  go. 

Z>Vmrf.— Luke  2  :  10  ;  Matt.  4:16;  28  :  19,  20. 


POEMS  FOR  RECITATION  OR  SINGING. 


FOR  FOUR  LITTLE  GIRLS. 

First. —        "  Jesus  loves  the  little  children, 
For  he  said  one  day, 
'Let  the  children  come  to  me; 
Keep  them  not  awaj'.'  " 

Second. —      "  There  are  many  little  children 
Who  have  never  heard 
Of  his  love  and  tenderness. 
Of  his  holy  word." 

Third.—       "  I  would  tell  these  little  cliildren. 
If  they  all  could  hear, 
How  he  spoke  to  his  disciples 
With  the  children  near." 

Fourth. —     "  Listen  now  while  we  repeat  it; 
Hark  !  'tis  very  sweet : 
I  should  think  'twould  make  the  children 
Hasten,  him  to  meet." 

All — "Suffer  little  children  to  come  unto  nie,  and  (orl)i( 
them  not,  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 


WHAT  A  LITTLE  CHILD  CAN   DO. 

[Rec^(ation.^^ 

1.  I'm  a  very  little  maid  ; 

I  can't  do  much,  'tis  true  ; 
1.38 


POEMS    FOR    RECITATION    OR   SINGING.  139 

Yet  the  mission  I  can  aid  : 
This  a  little  child  can  do. 

2.  I  can  run  on  busy  feet, 

Work  for  mamma  all  day  through ; 
What  T  do  for  her  is  sweet : 
This  a  little  child  can  do. 

5.  I  can  talk  to  wicked  boys, 

Tell  them  what  is  good  and  true. 
Make  them  love  the  Sunday-school : 
This  a  little  child  can  do. 

4.  Tracts  on  missions  I  can  give ; 
Send  to  heathen  children  too  : 
Teach  them  better  ways  to  live  . 
This  a  little  child  can  do. 

6.  If  "  She  halh  done  what  she  could ' 

Jesus  should  say  to  you. 
You'd  be  glad  ;  I  know  you  would  : 
This  a  little  child  can  do. 


THE  LIGHTHOUSE  AND  ITS  KEEPER. 

By  George  T.  Rea. 

[Recitation  for  a  Boy.] 

On  a  sunken  rock  in  the  open  sea 
Stood  a  lighthouse  high  and  strong, 

And  the  lamp  was  there  with  its  splendid  flame. 
And  the  keeper,  all  night  long. 

But  the  keeper  had  naught  of  pity  or  love ; 

A  hard,  selfish  man  was  he : 
He  shaded  the  lamp,  and  sent  nut  no  light 

O'er  the  dark  and  perilous  sea. 


140  MISSIONARY    EXKUCISKS. 

Safe  in  comfort  himself,  the  mighty  ships 
Might  strike  or  go  safely  by. 
"  Let  them  strike  or  go  down  ;  who  cares?"  said  he  : 
"  Men  have  only  once  to  die." 

One  dismal  night,  by  a  strong  wind  driven, 

Came  a  ship  with  all  sails  spread ; 
No  one  thought  of  danger,  for  no  one  knew 

Of  the  sunken  rock  ahead. 

Fast  sweeping  along  came  the  sail-clad  ship  ; 
The  white  foaai  leaped  from  her  prow. 
"All's  well!"  cried  the  watchman  pacing  the  deck; 
"  All's  well !"  passed  from  stern  to  bow. 

But  scarce  died  away  had  the  watchman's  cry 
When,  crash  !  plunged  the  ship  to  her  fate ; 

And  there  was  the  beacon  that  would  have  saved, 
But  'twas  seen,  alas !  too  late. 

Oh,  fearful  cries  of  the  drowning  men 

From  the  seething  waves  that  night ! 
And  they  cursed,  as  they  sank,  the  merciless  man 

Who  refused  his  saving  light. 

The  men  of  the  ship  are  the  heathen  world  ; 

The  beacon,  the  book  of  God  ; 
The  keeper,  the  Christian  who  .shades  his  lamp, 

And  .sheds  not  its  light  abroad. 

—  The  Children's  Record. 


CHILDREN'S  PRAYER-MEETING  IN  JAPAN. 

By  Margaret  E.  Sanqster. 

"  The  dear  little  girls,"  said  the  lady, 
In  the  letter  she  sent  from  Japan, 

"Take  ten  minutes  out  of  their  play-tirae 
To  pray  to  the  Saviour  of  man — 


I'UE.MS    FOK    KKOITATION    OK    SINGING.  141 

To  the  Saviour  who  died  to  redeem  them, 
Whose  love  sheds  a  light  on  their  way; 

They  cease  from  the  pleasure  of  play-time 
For  the  pleasure  of  kneeling  to  pray." 

"  I  heard  this  all  read  in  a  letter," 

Said  Rosa — "  'twas  sent  to  mamma  -  • 
And  I  thought  of  the  dark-eyed  and  slender 

Small  maids  in  that  country  afar — 
Afar  over  blue  rounding  waters, 

Where  idols  are  worshiped  in  dread  ; 
I  was  glad  that  the  dear  little  daughters 

Were  coming  to  Jesus,  instead 

"  Of  bowing  to  Buddh,  and  of  living 

Like  slaves  who  have  never  a  thought 
Beyond  the  swift  hour  of  the  present 

And  the  task  they  in  meekness  have  wrought. 
But  I  wondered  how  many  of  us  girls, 

Whose  mothers  have  taught  us  to  pray, 
Ever  think  of  a  ten-minute  meeting 

In  our  hour  of  play-time  so  gay  ; 

"  Or  go  from  the  fun  and  the  frolic 

To  stand  for  a  moment  alone. 
And  lift  up  a  silent  petition 

To  Him  who  is  King  on  the  throne; 
Who  once  was  a  child  with  his  mother. 

And  knows  jiist  how  children  can  feel; 
Who  is  near  us,  oiir  strong  Elder  Brother, 

With  grace  all  our  sorrows  to  heal. 

"  Dear  girls  !"  said  my  sweet  little  Rosa, 

"  Dear,  precious  young  girls  of  Japan  I 
I  think  you  are  teaching  a  lesson 

That  we  ought  to  learn  if  we  can — 
To  find  some  time  always  for  praying, 

No  matter  how  cumbered  with  care, 
In  working,  in  resting,  obeying 

The  Master  whose  servants  we  are." 


142  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

THE  CHILDREN'S  CRUSADE. 
By  Margaret  J.  Preston. 

Have  you  read  the  wonderful  story 

Of  what  happened  so  long  ago 
Away  in  the  Rhenish  country, 

In  sight  of  the  Alpine  snow — 

How  thousands  of  little  children 

With  scallop  and  staff  in  hand, 
Like  Peter  the  Hermit's  pilgrims, 

Set  forth  for  the  Holy  Land  ? 

From  hamlet  and  town  and  castle. 

For  many  and  many  a  day, 
These  children  had  seen  their  fathers 

March  to  the  East  away. 

"  Why  do  they  go  ?"  they  questioned 

Of  the  mothers  who  watched  and  wei)t. 

"  They  go  to  wrest  from  the  pagan 

The  tomb  where  the  dear  Lord  slept." 

And  the  thought  in  their  young  hearts  kindled; 

"  Let  us  do  as  our  fathers  do  ; 
Let  us  wear  the  cross  on  our  shoulder. 

And  help  in  the  conquest  too. 

"  The  strength  of  a  child  is  nothing  ; 
But  we'll  gather  in  one  strong  band, 
The  strength  of  ten  thousand  children. 
For  Christ  and  the  Holy  Land  !" 

And  so,  as  they  tell,  these  children 
On  their  strange,  wild  mission  went ; 

But  the  Saviour,  who  would  not  lead  them 
In  the  way  he  had  not  sent, 

Lifted  them  up  in  his  pity 
(Misguided  and  yet  his  own), 


POEMS  FOR  KEcrrATiox  OH  siiVaiNG.        143 

And  instead  of  the  tomb  tliey  sought  for, 
Sent  them  to  find  his  throne. 

Now  what  is  the  tender  lesson 

Wrapped  up  in  the  story  so  ? 
And  what  can  we  learn  from  the  children 

Who  perished  so  long  ago  ? 

For  the  sepulchi'e's  sake  where  only 

Three  days  the  Redeemer  lay 
They  were  willing  to  face  such  peril 

As  wasted  their  lives  away. 

For  a  temple  that  is  eternal, 

Where  the  living  stones  are  piled — 
(Each  stone  of  the  costly  building 

The  soul  of  a  heathen  child) — 

Are  there  ten  thousand  children 

Over  this  land  so  broad 
Willing  to  work,  their  shoulder 

Wearing  the  badge  of  God  ? 

Are  there  ten  thousand  children, 

Filled  with  a  zeal  intense, 
Ready  for  Christ  to  offer 

Their  labors,  their  prayers,  their  pence  ? 

For  the  gifts  and  the  prayers  of  the  children, 

Gathered  in  one  strong  band, 
Could  conquer  the  world  for  Jesus, 

And  make  it  a  Holy  Land ! 


THE  SAVIOUR'S  COMMAND. 

Go  to  the  lands  afar 
Where  the  changeless  winter  reigns ; 
Night  hath  her  empire  there — 
The  night  of  deep  despair; 


144  MISSIOXAUV     KXKlU'ISia. 

Go  bid  the  morning  star 
Rise  o'er  those  snowy  plains. 

Go,  love's  soft  dew  to  shower 
On  the  far-off  southern  isles  ; 

Though  darkness  hath  her  hour, 

Truth  is  a  mighty  power ; 

Go,  bid  the  lily  flower 
And  the  Rose  of  Sharon  smile. 

Go,  where  o'er  golden  sands 
The  streams  of  Afric  glide  ;     - 

Bear  to  those  distant  lands 

The  Saviour's  sweet  commands  ; 

Firm,  firm  his  purpose  stands : 
"  Lo  !  I  am  by  your  side." — Selected. 


FREELY  YE  HAVE  EECEIVED,  FREELY  GIVE. 

"  Shall  I  take  and  take,  and  never  give '/" 
It  was  not  in  the  lily  to  answer  "  Yea;" 
So  it  drank  the  dew  and  sunlight  and  rain. 
And  gave  out  its  fragrance  day  by  day. 

"  Sliall  I  take  and  take,  and  never  give?" 

The  robin  chirped.     "  No,  that  would  be  wrong;" 
So  he  picked  at  the  berries  and  fiew  away, 
And  poured  out  his  soul  in  a  beautiful  song. 

"  Shall  I  take  and  take,  and  never  give  ?" 

The  bee  in  the  clover  buzzed.     "  No,  ah,  no  !" 
So  he  gathered  the  honey  and  filled  his  cell, 
But  'twas  not  for  himself  he  labored  so. 

"Shall  I  take  and  take,  and  never  give?" 

What  answer  will  you  make,  my  little  one  ? 
Ivike  the  blossom,  the  bird  and  the  bee,  do  you  say, 
"  I  will  not  live  for  myself  alone  "  ? 


POEMS    FOR    RECITATION   OR   SINGING.  146 

Let  the  same  little  hands  that  are  ready  to  take 
The  things  that  our  Father  so  freely  has  given, 

Be  ever  as  ready  to  do  a  kind  deed, 
Till  love  to  each  other  makes  earth  seem  like  heaven. 


MY  MOTHER'S  PRAYER. 
By  Mary  Brainard. 

I  HAD  learned  my  geography  lesson  ; 

Teacher  said  I  had  done  very  well ; 
I  could  say  all  the  capes  and  the  rivers, 

All  the  capital  towns  I  could  tell. 

I  knew  all  the  countries  of  Asia, 

From  the  sea  to  the  distant  Japan, 
And  the  isles  of  the  Indian  Ocean, 

Sunny  Persia  and  rich  Hindustan. 

I  had  learned  of  the  tea  and  the  spices, 

Of  the  bread-fruit  and  wide-spreading  palm, 

Where  the  song  of  the  bulbul  rises 
From  the  cinnamon-groves  and  the  balm. 

But  in  thought  all  the  time  I  went  farther ; 

All  the  while  I  was  wanting  to  know 
How  those  dark-visaged  children  to  me  would  appear 

Should  I  ever  to  their  countries  go. 

So  I  asked  my  mamma  in  the  evening. 

As  she  held  me  a  while  on  her  knee  ; 
I  shall  never  forget  the  sweet  lesson 

That  she  taught  in  the  twilight  to  me. 

She  told  me  those  people  were  heatheu, 

Degraded  and  simple  and  vile, 
Going  on  through  the  bondage  of  darkness 

To  the  judgment  of  God  all  the  while. 

10 


14fi  MiaSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

"  We  are  trying  to  send  them  the  gospel, 
For  they  sit  in  the  shadow  of  night ; 
We  are  asking  the  dear  Lord  to  help  them 
And  to  lead  them  out  into  the  light. 

"  For  you  know  the  dear  Lord  has  commanded 
That  we  send  this  pure  gospel  to  all — 
Has  promised  his  help  and  his  presence, 
And  his  love  to  the  great  and  the  small." 

She  said :  "  In  a  little  time  longer 
All  those  who  now  labor  to  save, 

All  those  who  are  spreading  the  gospel, 
Will  lie  down  to  sleep  in  the  grave. 

"  The  girls,  who  so  soon  will  be  women. 
Must  take  up  the  cross  and  prevail — 
Must  labor  and  pray  for  the  heathen, 
Or  the  work  in  those  countries  will  fail." 

Then  mamma  knelt  down  in  the  twilight — 
She  was  weeping,  I  plainly  could  see — 

And  prayed  that  the  Spirit  of  Jesus  ' 
Upon  all  the  dear  children  might  he — 

Upon  all  of  the  dear  little  children, 
Till  they  grew  to  be  women  and  men  ; 

And  I  prayed  in  my  heart,  "  Jesus,  help  me  I" 
And  I  said  at  the  ending  "  Amen." 


A  CHILD'S  aUESTION. 

"  How  many  sisters  have  I,  mamma  ?" 
"  Only  one,  my  dear  ; 
You  have  two  little  brothers — Charlie  and  Will- 
And  BaVy  Katie  here." 

"  Then  what  did  the  lady  mean  to  day 
When  she  looked  right  into  my  face, 


POEMS    FOR   RECITATION   OR  SINGING.  147 

And  said  I  had  many  sisters  dear 
In  some  far-oflf,  wicked  place? 

"  They  could  never  know  of  Jesus'  love 
Unless  I  sent  them  word, 
And  that  of  his  wonderful  life  and  death 
They  never  had  even  heard. 

"  I  guess  she  must  be  mistaken,  though  ; 
For  you  would  surely  know 
If  any  such  dreadful  thing  was  true, 
And  have  sent  them  word  long  ago." 

"  Yes,  over  the  waters  our  sisters  wait, 
And  well  we  know  it  is  true 
That  many  perish  for  lack  of  help 
That  should  come  from  me  and  you." 

— Heathen  Woman's  Friend. 


A  LITTLE  SEED. 

A  CHILD  a  penny  gave — 

With  it  one  tract  was  bought : 

By  this  a  heathen  chief 
Was  to  the  Saviour  brought. 

A  little  church  he  built ; 

Men  turned  from  idols  cold 
Till  many  hundred  souls 

Were  gathered  in  its  fold. 

How  many  they  shall  lead 
In  joy  with  Christ  to  dwell, 

The  fruit  of  this  small  seec\. 
Eternity  must  tell. 

When  every  little  hand 
Shall  sow  the  gospel-seed, 

And  every  little  heart 
Shall  prMv  for  those  in  need; 


148  MISSIONARY    EXEROISIS. 

When  every  little  life 
Such  fair,  bright  record  shows, — 

Then  shall  the  desert  bud 
And  blossom  like  the  rose. 

—  Good  Time$. 


ANNIVERSARY  GREETING. 

By  Mrs.  E.  B.  Day. 

We  come  to-night  to  greet  again 

Our  workers  tried  and  true : 
God's  hand  has  kept  us  all  these  days, 

This  happy  summer  through. 

The  "  Cheerful  Workers  "  we  are  called ; 

We  want  you  all  to  know  it : 
If  any  one  has  work  for  us, 

We  hope  they  soon  will  show  it. 

For  workers  dear  the  harvest's  ripe, 
And  bending  down  before  us  ; 

We  cannot  wait  if  you  are  slow, 
For  Jesus  goes  before  us. 

For  years  we've  helped  the  boys  and  girls 

In  lands  beyond  the  sea 
To  hear  of  Jesus,  that  sweet  name 

So  dear  to  you  and  me. 

So  now  we'll  work  just  anywhere 

That  Jesus  calls  us  to ; 
We're  ready,  waiting  for  the  work, 

And  do  it  cheerfully. 

Now,  while  glad  welcome  we  would  say 

To  all  this  Mission-Band, 
We  humbly  look  above  and  pray, 
"  God  bless  our  own  dear  land  !" 


POEMS    FOR    RECITATION    OK   SINGING.  149 


WE  CAN  HELP. 

I'm  a  silver  quarter. 

Little  stitches  neat, 
And  full  many  an  errand 

Run  by  childish  feet, 
Earned  me  very  bravely : 

Little  girls  can  do 
Noble  work  for  missions 

When  they're  good  and  true. 

Surely,  God  will  bless  us 

With  our  little  all 
As  into  the  treasury 

Of  the  Lord  we  fall. 
Dropping,  dropping,  dropping- 

Offerings  great  and  small 
Dropping,  dropping,  dropping: 

Hear  us  as  we  fall. 


COUNTING  THE  PENNIES. 
By  Margaret  J.  Preston. 

Ah,  what  shall  I  do  with  my  pennies  1 
For  see,  I  have  such  a  store  1 

I  never  have  sold  my  basket 
Of  walnuts  so  soon  before. 

How  often  I've  trudged  for  hours, 

And  taken  a  secret  cry 
Because  I  was  tired  and  hungry, 

And  nobody  cared  to  buy  I 

I  dreaded  to  think  how  mother 
Would  look  as  I  came  and  said 


160  MKSSIONARY    EXEKCIiSliS. 

That  I  hadn't  enough  of  pennies 
To  bring  her  a  loaf  of  bread ! — 

How  Nellie,  my  little  sister, 

Would  watch  at  the  door  and  say, 
"  I've  thought  and  I've  thought  of  the  apple 
You  promised  to  bring  all  day  "  I 

But  now  I  can  fill  my  basket, 
For  there's  never  a  nut  behind  : 

One  loaf — two  loaves — and  a  dozen 
Of  apples,  the  sweetest  kind ; 

And  a  pat  of  that  yellow  butter  ; 

It's  dainty  and  fresh,  I  know  ; 
How  good  it  will  taste  to  mother ! 

And  Nellie  will  like  it  so. 

Five  pennies — ten — fifteen — twenty — 
And  thirty — and  thirty-five ; 

Just  think  of  it ! — here  are  fifty, 
As  certain  as  I'm  alive  I 

It  must  have  been  God  who  helped  me 

To  sell  off  my  nuts  so  soon, 
Or  else  I'd  been  trudging,  trudging, 

The  whole  of  the  afternoon. 

And  now  I  would  like  to  thank  him, 
So  kind  he  has  been,  so  true ! 

Let's  see  if  I  cannot  spare  him 
A  few  of  my  pennies  too. 

Why,  surely  I  can  I  —here's  forty 
For  mother  and  Nellie — and  then, 

Dear  Jesus,  to  help  thy  heathen, 
I  give  thee  the  otlier  ten. 


POEMS    FOK    KEClTATlOiS'    OK   SINGING.  161 

WHY  DID  YOU  NOT  COME  BEFORE? 

By  Miss  Priscilla  J.  Owens. 

[An  aged  Hindoo  woman,  on  first  hearing  the  gospel,  said 
"  Why  did  you  not  come  before?  My  hair  has  grown  gray  wait- 
ing for  the  good  news."] 

An  aged  woman,  poor  and  weak, 
She  heard  the  mission-teacher  speak  ; 
The  slowly-rolling  tears  came  down 
Upon  her  withered  features  brown : 
"  What  blessed  news  from  yon  far  shore ! 
Would  I  had  heard  it  long  before  I 

"  Oh,  I  have  bowed  at  many  a  shrine 
When  youth  and  health  and  strength  were  mine  ; 
How  earnestly  my  soul  has  striven 
To  find  some  gleam  of  light  from  heaven ! 
But  all  my  toil  has  been  in  vain  : 
These  gods  of  stone  but  mocked  my  pain. 

"  A  weary  pilgrimage  I've  trod 
To  win  some  favor  from  my  god, 
And  all  my  jeweled  wealth  I've  laid 
Beneath  the  dark  pagoda's  shade ; 
But  still  the  burden  on  my  breast 
Bowed  head  and  heart  with  sore  unrest. 

"  Now,  I  have  waited  many  a  day, 
My  form  is  bent,  my  hair  is  gray  ; 
But  still,  the  blessed  words  you  bear 
Have  charmed  away  my  long  despair. 
Oh,  sisters  !  from  your  happy  shore 
Would  you  had  sent  to  me  before ! 

"  Oh,  precious  is  the  message  sweet 
I  hear  your  kindly  lips  repeat ; 
It  bids  me  weep  for  joy  again. 
My  stony  eyes  were  dry  with  pain ; 
My  weary  heart  with  joy  runs  o'er : 
Ah,  had  you  come  to  me  before ! 


152  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

"  How  welcome  is  the  glorious  name 
Of  Jesus,  who  to  save  me  came  ! 
And  shall  I  live  when  death  is  past  ? 
And  may  I  all  my  burdens  cast 
On  him?     And  is  his  mercy  free? 
Not  bought  with  gifts  ?    Such  news  for  me 

"  Yet,  please  forgive  me  when  I  say 
I've  needed  this  so  many  a  day. 
In  your  glad  homes  did  ye  not  know 
How  India's  tears  of  sorrow  flow  ? 
If  you  had  known  on  that  bright  shore, 
Surely  you  would  have  come  before." 

— Methodist  Protestant. 


OPENING  AND  CLOSING  RECITATIONS  FOR  A 
MISSION-CIRCLE. 

By  a.  W.  Alexander. 

For  all  our  mercies  God  be  praised, 
And  for  this  pleasant  place  of  meeting : 

Kind  friends  and  dear,  assembled  here, 
The  "  Little  Pilgrims  "  give  you  greeting. 

It  is  not  much  to  do  for  Christ ; 

Our  talents  are  not  great  or  many. 
Yet  what  he  gave  he  bids  us  bring, 

Nor  left  the  weakest  without  any. 

We  are  but  young,  yet  we  have  learned 
That  nothing  from  this  duty  frees  us — 

To  send  the  gospel  o'er  the  seas. 
To  bring  a  heathen  world  to  Jesus. 

Perhaps  I'd  better  not  say  more, 

Nor  of  our  plans  make  further  mention, 

But  ask  that  what  you  see  and  hear 
May  now  engage  your  kind  attention. 


POEMS    FOR    RECITATION    OR   SINGING.  153 

CLOSING. 

Kind  friends,  a  moment  yet  remains 

For  me  to  bid  you  all  good-bye  in. 
What  will  tjou  do  for  Jesus'  cause? — 

The  noblest  work  to  live  and  die  in. 

Say  not,  "  So  much  to  do  at  home !" 

The  willing  heart  shall  soon  discover, 
If  we  give  well,  God  giveth  well — 

Good  measure,  pressed,  and  running  over. 

God  speed  the  day  when  all  the  world 
Of  small  and  great  shall  learn  his  story  I 

God  bring  us  all  to  join  the  song 
His  ransomed  people  sing  in  glory! 


"TWO  CENTS  A  WEEK,  AND  A  PRAYER." 

"  Two  cents  a  week,  and  a  prayer," 
A  tiny  gift  may  be. 
But  it  helps  to  do  a  wonderful  work 
For  our  sisters  across  the  sea. 

"  Two  cents  a  week,  and  a  prayer," 
From  our  abundant  store, — 
It  was  never  missed,  for  its  place  was  filled 
By  a  Father's  gift  of  more. 

"  Two  cents  a  week,  and  a  prayer  ;" 
Perhaps  'twas  a  sacrifice ; 
But  treasure  came  from  the  storehouse  above, 
Outweighing  by  far  the  price. 

"  Two  cents  a  week,  and  a  prayer  ;" 
'Twas  the  prayer,  perhaps,  after  all, 
That  the  work  has  done  and  a  blessing  brought, 
The  gift  was  so  very  small. 


154  MISSIONARY    EXKRCISES. 

"  Two  cents  a  week,  and  a  prayer," 
Freely  and  heartily  given  ; 
The  treasures  of  earth  will  all  melt  away— 
This  is  treasure  laid  up  in  heaven. 

"  Two  cents  a  week,  and  a  prayer," 
A  tiny  gift  may  be, 
But  it  helps  to  do  such  wonderful  work 
For  om-  sisters  across  the  sea  ! 

— Heathen  Woman's  Friend, 


LITTLE  WORKERS. 
By  L.  a.  H.  Buti.er. 

[A  record  of  facts.] 

AH. — Of  the  happy  workers, 
Youngest  ones  are  we ; 
That  we're  very  little 
Any  one  can  see. 

Pr'aps  you  think  our  help,  too, 

Must  be  also  small, 
But  we're  sure  it's  better 

Far  than  none  at  all. 

"Would  you  know  the  many 
Things  we've  learned  to  do? 

Listen,  and  the  secret 
We  will  tell  to  you. 

1. — I  made  lots  of  stitches 

In  a  patchwork  square — 
Hardest  work  I  ever 
Did,  too,  I  declare  I 

2. — I  can't  sew,  hut  grandma 
Hnldors  made  for  me ; 


POEMS    FOR    RECITATLON    OR   SINGING.  155 

These  I  sold  to  carry 
Light  across  the  sea. 

3. — I  shelled  beaus  for  heathen 
(Papa  said  I  might) ; 
So  my  little  fingers 
Made  a  shilling  bright. 

4. — My  mamma,  to  help  me, 
Bottled  up  some  ink ; 
I've  sold  seventy  cents'  worth — 
Now,  what  do  you  think  ? 

5. — Out  of  auntie's  pansies 
I've  picked  every  weed, 
And  she's  going  to  give  me 
All  I'll  sell  of  seed. 

6. — I  can  'muse  the  baby 

When  he  wants  to  play  ; 
Many  a  shining  penny 
I  have  made  this  way. 

7. — Sometimes  I  run  errands 
Over  'cross  the  street — 
Earn  my  mission-money 
Helping  older  feet. 

All. — So  you  see,  though  little, 

We've  found  work  to  do  ; 
When  we  said  we  helped  some, 
Don't  vou  think  'twas  true  ? 


MISSIONARY  PENNIES. 

Hear  the  pennies  dropping,  listen  as  they  fall ; 
Every  one  for  Jesus  ;  he  will  get  them  all. 

Dropping,  dropping  ever  from  each  little  hand ; 
'Tis  our  gift  to  .Tesus  from  his  little  band. 


166  MISSIONARY    EXER(,'ISK8. 

Now,  while  we  are  little,  pennies  are  our  store ; 
But  when  we  are  older.  Lord,  we'll  give  thee  more. 

Though  we  have  not  money,  we  can  give  him  love ; 
He  will  own  our  offering,  smiling  from  above. 

— Sunday -school  World. 


THE  TWO  PENNIES. 

Shall  I  tell  you  a  story,  dear  children,  to-day, 
About  two  little  girls,  called  Susie  and  May? 
They  both  went  to  church,  and  to  Sabbath-school  too, 
And  were  told  about  Jesus  and  what  they  must  do. 

One  day  their  papa  gave  a  penny  to  each. 

For  he  thought  in  this  way  a  lesson  to  teach. 

And  said,  "  Little  maids,  now  see  who'll  be  wise. 

And  spend  her  bright  penny  for  something  she'll  prize." 

Then,  hopping  and  skipping,  they  hastened  away. 
'  I  know  what  I'll  get,"  said  frolicsome  May  ; 
"  I'll  buy  some  nice  candy  ;  come,  Susie,  you  too  ;" 

But,  shaking  her  head,  "  No,  no!"  answered  Sue; 

"  For  have  you  forgotten  that  far,  far  away 
Are  dear  little  girls  who  cannot  e'en  pray  ? 
They  know  not  of  Jesus,  and  oh,  are  so  sad. 
That  I  want  to  do  something  to  make  their  hearts  glad. 

"  Now  my  pretty  new  penny  I'll  send  to  them  there ; 
Perhaps  it  may  aid  them  in  learning  a  prayer. 
I  know  it's  but  little,  a  very  small  mite, 
But  still,  it  may  help  them  to  learn  to  do  right." 

So  May  got  her  candy,  but  .soon  'twas  ali  gone, 
And  she  wandered  around  looking  sadly  forlorn. 
But  what  of  Sue's  penny?     It  sped  on  its  way, 
Never  stopping  its  journey  by  niglvt  or  by  day. 


POEMS    FOR    RECirATION    OR  SIEGING.  157 

It  joined  other  pennies,  and  over  the  sea, 

In  a  land  fair  and  lovely  as  any  can  be. 

It  bore  to  the  children  God's  message  of  love, 

And  taught  them  of  Jesus  who  came  from  above. 

Now,  dear  little  friends,  please  tell  me,  I  pray, 
Which  you  think  the  wiser.  Miss  Susie  or  May? 
Ah  I  there's  but  one  voice :  "  Sue,  Susie  has  won, 
For  the  work  of  her  penny  will  never  be  done." 

— lOLA,  in  Missionary  Helper. 


TUMBY.* 

By  Mrs.  W.  E.  De  Riemtsr. 

Sitting  flat  upon  the  sand, 
With  a  plaintain  in  each  hand, 
Tawny  face  alive  with  joy, 
Tumby,  black-eyed  Hindoo  boy. 

Hatless  is  his  oily  head. 
Round  his  waist  a  cloth  bright  red ; 
Shoeless  are  his  chubby  feet, 
Baking  in  the  scorching  heat. 

Now  he  picks  from  tulip  tree 
Shiny  leaf  for  plate,  you  see ; 
Tumby's  going  to  eat  his  rice — 
That's  his  supper  ;  ain't  it  nice  ? 

Stars  from  out  the  heavens  peep : 
Tired  of  play,  he  wants  to  sleep. 
Archie's  mat  lies  on  the  floor, 
Just  before  the  open  door. 

Tumby  stretches  on  the  mat. 
Clasping  tight  his  fingers  fat : 

*  TuTiib])  is  the  Tamil  (Soiith  India)  word  for  "little  brother." 


158  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

Fast  asleep  our  Hindoo  boy, 
Full  of  fun  and  full  of  joy. 

Can  a  heathen  boy  be  gay? 
Yes,  but  one  thing  sad  to  say : 
How  to  go  to  heaven  some  day 
Tumby  doesn't  know  the  way. 


MISSIONARY  MUSIC. 

1.  Have  you  ever  brought  a  penny 

To  the  missionary-box  ? — 
A  penny  which  you  might  have  spent 

Like  other  little  folks — 
And  when  it  fell  among  the  rest 

Have  you  ever  heard  a  ring, 
Like  a  pleasant  sound  of  welcome 

Which  the  other  pennies  sing? 

2.  This  is  missionary  music. 

And  it  has  a  pleasant  sound, 
For  pennies  make  a  shilling, 

And  shillings  make  a  pound  ; 
And  many  pounds  together 

The  gospel  news  will  send. 
Which  tells  the  heathen  children 

That  the  Saviour  is  their  Friend. 

3.  And  oh  !  what  joyous  music 

Is  the  missionary-song 
When  it  swells  from  every  bosom 

And  sounds  from  every  tongue — 
When  happy  Christian  children 

Sing  all  with  one  accord 
Of  the  time  when  realms  of  darkness 

Shall  be  kingdoms  of  the  Lord  I 


POEMS    FOR    RECITATION    OR   SINGING.  159 

4.  But  sweeter  than  the  pennies'  ring, 

Or  songs  we  love  to  hear, 
Are  children's  voices  when  they  breathe 

A  missionary  prayer — 
When  they  bring  the  heart-petition 

To  the  great  Redeemer's  throne, 
That  he  will  choose  the  heathen 

And  take  them  for  his  own. 

6.  This  is  the  music  Jesus  taught 

When  he  was  here  below  ; 
This  is  the  music  Jesus  loves 

To  hear  in  glory  now ; 
And  many  a  one  from  heathen  lands 

Will  reach  his  heavenly  home 
In  answer  to  the  children's  prayer : 

"O  Lord,  thy  kingdom  come!" 

6.  Then,  missionary  children, 

Let  this  music  never  cease  ; 
Work  on,  work  on  in  earnest. 

For  the  Lord,  the  Prince  of  Peace. 
There  is  praying  work  and  paying  work 

For  every  heart  and  hand. 
Till  the  missionary  chorus 

Shall  go  forth  through  all  the  land. 


THE  SILVER  PLATE. 

By  Maegaret  J.  Preston, 

They  passed  it  along  from  pew  to  pew, 
And  gathered  the  coins,  now  fast,  now  few, 
That  rattled  upon  it ;  and  every  time 
Some  eager  fingers  would  drop  a  dime 
On  the  silver  plate  with  a  silver  sound, 
A  boy  who  sat  in  the  aisle  looked  round 


100  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

With  a  wistful  face  :  "  Oh,  if  only  he 
Had  a  dime  to  offer,  how  glad  he'd  be  !" 
He  fumbled  his  pockets,  but  didn't  dare 
To  hope  he  should  find  a  penny  there ; 
And  much  as  he  searched,  when  all  was  done 
He  hadn't  discovered  a  single  one. 

He  had  listened  with  wide-set,  earnest  eyes 

As  the  minister,  in  a  plaintive  wise, 

Had  spoken  of  children  all  abroad 

The  world  who  had  never  heard  of  God — 

Poor,  pitiful  pagans,  who  didn't  know, 

When  they  came  to  die,  where  their  souls  would  go, 

And  who  shrieked  with  fear  when  their  mothers  made 

Them  kneel  to  idol  god,  afraid 

He  might  eat  them  up,  so  fierce  and  wild 

And  horrid  he  seemed  to  the  frightened  child. 

And  the  more  the  minister  talked,  the  more 

The  boy's  heart  ached  to  its  inner  core ; 

And  the  nearer  to  him  the  silver  plate 

Kept  coming,  the  harder  seemed  his  fate 

That  he  hadn't  a  penny  (had  that  sufficed) 

To  give,  that  the  heathen  might  hear  of  Christ. 

But  all  at  once,  as  the  silver  sound 

Just  tinkled  beside  him,  the  boy  looked  round, 

And  they  offered  the  piled-up  plate  to  him. 

And  he  blushed  and  his  eyes  began  to  swim. 

Then  bravely  turning,  as  if  he  knew 

There  was  nothing  better  that  he  could  do, 

He  spoke  in  a  voice  that  held  a  tear, 
''  Put  the  plate  on  the  bench  beside  me  here." 

And  the  plate  was  placed,  for  they  thought  he  meant 

To  empty  his  pockets  of  every  cent ; 

But  he  stood  straight  up,  and  he  softly  put 

Right  square  in  the  midst  of  the  plate — his  foot, 

And  said  with  a  sob,  controlled  before, 
"  /  will  give  myself — /  have  nothing  more." 


POEMS    FOR    RECITATION   OR   8I^GING.  161 


THE  LAST  COMMAND. 

"Gz  y^  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  ever/  crear 
tnre."  Mark  16  :  15. 

"  Go  I" — 'tis  the  Lord's  command — 

Leave  all  your  heart  holds  dear, 
Loosen  the  clasp  of  the  fondest  hand, 

And  check  the  burning  tear. 
Mother  and  babe  and  friend — 

Go,  while  they  all  remain. 
Dragging  unto  your  journey's  end 

An  ever-lengthening  chain. 

"  Ye  " — not  some  other  one 
Whom  you  deem  fitter  still  ; 
By  you,  by  you,  must  the  work  be  done: 

Such  is  the  Master's  will ; 
Nor  urge,  "  There  are  others  here 

By  love  less  fondly  tied." 
Other  hearts  cling  as  close,  as  dear : 
"  Go  ye,"  said  the  Crucified. 

"  To  all  the  world,"  then,  go  ; 

Not  to  the  favored  climes 
Whose  balmy  beauty  in  golden  glow 

You  have  longed  for  many  times ; 
Not  where  the  nations  know 

The  Saviour's  love  sublime, 
But  where  there  is  dark  and  godless  woe, 

And  church-bells  never  chime. 

"  Preach  "  for  the  Master,  then  ; 
Tell  what  God  speaks  within  ; 
Come  close  to  the  hearts  of  heathen  men 

Whose  souls  are  soiled  with  sin. 
And  let  your  every  deed 

Speak  like  an  earnest  word  ; 
Patiently  sowing  the  precious  seed, 
Let  your  voice  and  life  be  heard. 
11 


162  MISSIONARY  p:xekc'I.ses. 

"  The  gospel  "  you  may  tell, 

"  Glad  tidings  of  great  joy  ;" 
God  loved  poor  sinners  so  well,  so  well  I 

Let  this  your  tongue  employ : 
How  we  are  saved  by  grace, 

Through  faith  in  Him  who  died — 
How  we  may  see  the  Father's  face, 

Be  blessed,  be  sanctified. 

"  To  every  creature  "  speak 

The  love  that  wings  your  soul : 
None  so  wicked,  so  wild,  so  weak, 

But  Christ  can  make  him  whole. 
The  poor,  the  sad,  the  lone, 

The  rich,  the  proud,  the  great — 
For  every  sinner  did  Christ  atone  : 

They  perish  while  they  wait. 

Go  ye  to  all  the  world, 

And  preach  to  every  one ; 
The  gospel  banner  must  be  unfurled 

Wherever  shines  the  sun. 
But  comfort  thou  thine  heart: 

God  only  calls  his  own. 
And  sendeth  forth  to  the  hardest  part 

Those  nearest  to  his  throne. 

— Missionary  Echoet 


THY  KINGDOM  COME. 

Oh,  not  in  vain  have  saint  and  page 
"  Thy  kingdom  come  "  implored^ 

Oh,  not  in  vain  does  age  to  age 
Await  thy  coming.  Lord. 

I  hear  the  bells  each  Sabbath  fair. 
How  far  their  raptures  run. 

And  follow  through  the  oceaned  air 
The  golden  tides  of  sun 


rOKMS    FOR    RECITATION    OR   SINGING.  163 

To  lands  beneath  the  tropic  haze, 

Where  whispering  palms  are  swaying, 

To  lands  that  heard  in  ancient  days 
The  morning  Memnon  playing ; 

To  lands  where  Night  her  jewels  sets 

O'er  deserts  fringed  with  roses. 
While  slowly  o'er  the  minarets 

The  evening  shadow  closes — 

Where  prophets  toiled  'neath  golden  wings 

Of  temple  and  of  palace — 
Where  sleep  Golconda's  jeweled  kings 

Beneath  the  lily's  chalice ; 

To  isles  o'erswept  by  frigid  breeze. 

And  folded  deep  in  mist ; 
To  isles  amid  the  tropic  seas 

Of  gold  and  amethyst. 

The  earth  draws  nearer  to  thy  breast. 

And  thou  art  drawing  near, 
And  bright  in  East  and  bright  in  West 

Thy  coming  doth  appear. 

And  sweet  as  Jubal's  chorded  shells 

When  Sabbath  sunshine  falls 
In  notes  of  multiplying  bells, 

Thy  voice  of  mercy  calls. 

0  faithful  God !  still,  still  to  thee 

We  raise  the  voice  of  prayer, 
Till,  circling  earth  from  sea  to  sea, 

Thy  praise  shall  fill  the  air. 

— H.  H.  B.,  in  Congregationalist, 


164  MISSIONARY    PiXKRCISES. 

THE  GREAT  FAMINE  CRY. 


Hark  !  the  wail  of  heatheu  nations ; 

List !  the  cry  comes  back  again, 
With  its  solemn,  sad  reproaching, 

With  its  piteous  refrain  : 
"  We  are  dying  fast  of  hunger ; 

Starving  for  the  bread  of  life  ; 
Haste !  oh,  hasten  ere  we  perish — 

Send  the  messengers  of  life. 

II. 

"  Send  the  gospel  faster,  swifter : 

Ye  who  dwell  in  Christian  lands, 
Reck  you  not  we're  dying,  dying, 

More  in  number  than  the  sand  ? 
Heed  ye  not  his  words,  your  Master, 

*  Go  ye  forth  to  all  the  world  ; 
Send  the  gospel  faster,  faster ; 

Let  its  banner  be  unfurled.'  " 

III. 

Christian,  can  you  sit  in  silence 

While  this  cry  fills  all  the  air, 
Or  content  yourself  with  giving 

Merely  what  you  well  can  spare  ? 
Will  you  make  your  God  a  beggar, 

When  he  asks  but  for  his  own  f 
Will  you  dole  him  from  your  treasure 

A  poor  pittance  as  a  loan? 

IV. 

Shame !  oh,  shame !  for  very  blushing 
E'en  the  sun  might  veil  his  face; 

Robbing  God,  ay,  of  his  honor. 
While  propuiiiinjjj  on  liis  p^race  ! — 


p()p:ms  for  recitation  or  singing.        165 

Keeping  back  his  richest  blessing 

By  withholding  half  the  price 
Consecrated  to  his  service — 

Perjured,  perjured,  perjured  thrice  I 

V. 

While  you  dwell  in  peace  and  plenty, 

Store  and  basket  running  o'er, 
Will  you  cast  to  these  poor  pleaders 

Only  crumbs  upon  your  floor  ? 
Can  you  sleep  upon  your  pillow, 

With  a  heart  and  soul  at  rest, 
While  upon  the  treacherous  billow 

Souls  you  might  have  saved  are  lost  ? 

VI. 

Hear  ye  not  the  tramp  of  nations 

Marching  on  to  day  of  doom — 
See  them  falling,  dropping  swiftly. 

Like  the  leaves,  into  the  tomb  ? 
Souls  for  whom  Christ  died  are  dying 

While  the  ceaseless  tramp  goes  by  : 
Can  you  shut  your  ears,  O  Christian  1 

To  their  ceaseless  moan  and  cry  ? 

VII. 

Hearken  !  hush  your  own  heart-beating 

While  the  death-march  passeth  by  ; 
Tramp,  tramp,  tramp,  the  beat  of  nations, 

Never  ceasing,  yet  they  die — 
Die  unheeded,  while  you  slumber, 

Millions  strewing  all  the  way. 
Victims  of  your  sloth  and  slowness — 

Ay,  of  mine  and  thine  to-day. 

VIII. 

When  the  Master  comes  to  meet  us, 
For  this  loss  what  will  he  say  ? 


166  MISSIONARY    EXKRCISES. 

"  I  was  hungered,  did  ye  feed  me? 

I  asked  bread,  ye  turned  away. 
I  was  dying  in  my  prison, 

Ye  ne'er  came  to  visit  me ;" 
And  swift  witnesses  those  victims 

Standing  by  will  surely  be. 

IX. 
Sound  the  trumpet,  wake  God's  people 

Walks  not  Christ  amid  his  flock  ? 
Sits  he  not  against  the  treasury? 

Shall  he  stand  without  and  knock — 
Knock  in  vain  to  come  and  feast  us  ? 

Open,  open,  hearts  and  hands  I 
And  as  surely  his  best  blessing 

Shall  o'erflow  all  hearts,  all  lands. 


MISSIONARY  WORKERS. 

''  Little  Missionary  Workers  " 
We  have  taken  for  our  name, 
For  we  mean  to  work  for  Jesus 
And  to  spread  abroad  his  fame. 

Older  ones  no  doubt  more  wisely 
Act  in  their  appointed  lot, 

But  we  think  the  Lord  who  sees  us 
Kindly  says,  "  Forbid  them  not." 

Chink  of  pennies  is  not  music 
Sweet  as  dollars'  ring  to  some, 

But  the  trumpet  speaks  the  tune 
As  truly  as  the  mighty  drum. 

So  in  Jesus'  army  sweetness 
Rises  to  his  ears  from  all 

Who  from  love  and  gentle  pity 
Ring  out  clear  the  gospel  call. 


POEMS    FOR    RKCITATION   OR   SINGING.  167 

Each  dear  friend,  will  you  not  aid  us 
With  warm  heart  and  willing  hand? 

Then  what  joy  we'll  have  together 
Working  out  his  last  command  I 


TYPES  OF  THE  SAVIOUR. 

When  the  holy  tent  I  view, 
And  the  shew-bread  table  too ; 
When  the  candlestick  for  light 
Flashes  on  my  wondering  sight — 
I  behold  a  Saviour. 

Where  the  perfumed  censer  swings 
O'er  the  ark  with  staves  and  rings — 
Ark  o'erlaid  with  choicest  gold, 
Precious  tokens  safe  to  hold — 
I  can  see  a  Saviour. 

In  the  crimson  blood  that  flowed 
For  the  debt  the  guilty  owed, 
As  their  sins  they  each  confessed. 
With  the  offering  God  had  blessed — 
I  behold  my  Saviour. 

In  the  holiest  place  of  all, 
Where  I  hear  the  high  priest  call 
On  Jehovah,  praying  low, 
Save  thy  people,  spare  their  woe  "— 
I  can  hear  my  Saviour. 

Blessed  be  the  God  of  might 
For  the  veil,  the  ark,  the  light. 
For  the  bread,  the  blood,  the  priest, 
Types  whose  meanings  ne'er  hath  ceased  I- 
Blessed  be  the  Saviour  ! 


168  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 


LITTLE  FOXES. 

Among  my  tender  vines  I  spy 
A  little  fox  named — By  and  By. 

Then  set  upon  him,  quick,  I  say. 
The  swift  young  hunter — Right  away. 

Around  each  tender  vine  I  plant 
I  find  the  little  fox — /  can^t. 

Then  fast  as  ever  hunter  ran 

Chase  him  with  bold  and  brave — /  can. 

No  use  in  trying — lags  and  whines 
This  fox  among  my  tender  vines. 

Then  drive  him  low  and  drive  him  high 
With  this  good  hunter  named — 77/  try. 

Among  the  vines  in  my  small  lot 
Creeps  in  the  young  fox — I  forgot. 

Then  hunt  him  out  and  to  his  den 
With — Ixvill  not  forget  again. 

The  little  fox  that's  hidden  there 
Among  my  vines  is — /  donH  care. 

Then  let  I'm  sori-y — hunter  true — 
Chase  him  afar  from  vines  and  you. 


The  fields  are  all  white, 

And  the  reapers  are  few ; 
We  children  are  willing, 
But  what  can  we  do 
To  work  for  our  T.ord  in  his  harvest? 


P0EM8    FOR    RECITATION   OR  SINGING.  169 

Our  hands  are  so  small, 

And  our  words  are  so  weak, 
We  cannot  teach  others  ; 

How,  then,  shall  we  seek 
To  work  for  our  Lord  in  his  harvest? 

We'll  work  by  our  prayers, 
By  the  pennies  we  bring, 
By  small  self-denials — 
The  least  little  thing 
May  work  for  our  Lord  in  his  harvest. 

Until  by  and  by, 

As  the  years  pass  at  length, 
We  too  may  be  reapers, 
And  go  forth  in  strength 
To  work  for  our  Lord  in  his  harvest. 


GO  WORK  TO-DAY. 

O  TOILER  in  the  vineyard ! 

Faint  not,  for  thou  shalt  reap  ; 
Most  precious  seed  thou  bearest : 

Then  wherefore  dost  thou  weep  ? 

For  thou,  with  joy  returning, 
Doubtless  shall  come  again. 

Bearing  thy  sheaves  in  triumph  : 
Thy  toil  is  not  in  vain. 

The  day  of  vineyard-labor 
But  brief  may  prove  to  be  : 

A  wondrous  weight  of  glory 
Lies  in  reserve  for  thee. 

Ah !  who  would  idly  linger. 
Or  from  the  vineyard  stay, 

With  such  a  prize  before  him  ? 
Let  all  "go  work  to-day." 


170  MISSION  A  KY    KXf]RCI8ES. 


GIVING. 

The  sun  gives  ever ;  so  the  earth — 
What  it  can  give  so  much  'tis  worth : 
The  ocean  gives  in  many  ways — 
Gives  paths,  gives  fishes,  rivers,  bays  ; 
So,  too,  the  air,  it  gives  us  breath — 
When  it  stops  giving,  comes  in  death. 
Give,  give,  be  always  giving ; 
Who  gives  not  is  not  living. 
Give  strength,  give  thought,  give  deeds,  give  pelf, 
Give  love,  give  tears,  and  give  thyself; 
Who  gives  not  is  not  living. 
The  more  we  give, 
The  more  we  live. 


FAITHFUL  IN  LITTLE. 

I  CANNOT  do  great  things  for  him 

Who  did  so  much  for  me, 
But  I  should  like  to  show  my  love, 

Dear  Jesus,  unto  thee  : 
Faithful  in  very  little  things, 

0  Saviour,  may  I  be. 

There  are  small  things  in  daily  life 

In  which  I  may  obey. 
And  thus  may  show  my  love  to  thee  ; 

And  always — every  day — 
There  are  some  little  loving  words 

Which  I  for  thee  may  say. 

There  are  small  crosses  I  may  take. 
Small  burdens  I  may  bear, 

Small  acts  of  faith  and  deeds  of  love, 
Small  sorrows  I  may  share  ; 

And  little  bits  of  work  for  thee 

1  raav  do  evervwliere. 


POEMS   FOR    RECITATION   OR   SINGING.  17  J 

So  I  ask  thee,  Lord,  to  give  me  grace 

My  little  place  to  fill, 
That  I  may  ever  walk  with  thee, 

And  ever  do  thy  will, 
That  in  each  duty,  great  or  small, 

I  may  be  faithful  still. 

I  am  a  child.     It  will  not  do 

An  idle  life  to  lead 
Because  I'm  small,  with  talents  few ; 

Of  me  the  Lord  hath  need 
Some  work  or  calling  to  pursue 

Or  do  some  humble  deed. 

I  must  be  active  every  hour. 

And  do  my  Maker's  will  ; 
If  but  a  ray  can  paint  the  flower, 

A  raindrop  swell  the  rill, 
I  know  in  me  there  is  a  power 

Some  humble  place  to  fill. 


MAKE  USE  OF  ME. 

Make  use  of  me,  my  God ! 

Let  me  be  not  forgot — 
A  broken  vessel  cast  aside. 

One  whom  thou  needest  not. 

I  am  thy  creature.  Lord, 
And  made  by  hands  divine  ; 

And  I  atn  part,  howevfr  mean, 
Of  this  great  world  of  thine. 

All  things  do  serve  thee  here, 
All  creatures,  great  and  small ; 

Make  use  of  me — of  me,  my  God, 
The  weakest  of  them  all. 


172  MISSIONARY    EXERCISEK. 


CHILDREN'S  MISSIONARY  HYMN. 

We  are  but  a  band  of  children, 
Working  for  the  blessed  Lord, 

Not  too  small  to  do  his  bidding, 
Nor  to  heed  his  glorious  word. 

When  he  says,  "  Go  tell  the  people 
AVho  have  never  heard  my  name 

That  to  lift  them  out  of  darkness 
Christ,  the  Lord  of  glory,  came — 

"Came  that  they  might  say  '  Our  Father,' 
And  that  in  their  sad  home  lives 
Rays  of  hope  and  love  may  enter, 
Such  as  Jesus'  gospel  gives," 

So  we  bring  our  pennies,  asking 
That,  like  tiny  grains  of  corn. 

They  may  yield  a  rich  soul-harvest 
In  the  resurrection-morn  ; 

And  that  some  poor  heathen  children 
Round  the  throne  with  us  may  stand. 

Brought  there  by  the  prayers  and  pennies 
Of  our  little  Mission-Band. 


•'COME  OVER  AND   HELP  US- 
Through  midnight  gloom,  from  Mace  don, 
The  cry  of  myriads  as  of  one, 
The  voiceful  silence  of  despair*, 
Is  eloquent  in  awful  prayer — 
The  soul's  exceeding  bitter  cry : 
"  Come  o'er  and  help  us,  or  we  die." 

How  mournftilly  it  echoes  on  I 
For  half  the  world  is  Macedon. 


POEMS    FOR    RECITATION    OR   SINGING.  173 

These  brethren  to  their  brethren  call ; 
And  by  the  love  that  loved  us  all, 
And  by  the  whole  world's  life  they  cry : 
'  O  ye  that  live,  behold  we  die !" 


THE  FIVE  LOAVES. 

By  Margaret  J.  Preston. 

What  if  the  little  Jewish  lad 
That  summer  day  had  failed  to  go 

Down  to  the  lake,  because  he  had 
So  small  a  store  of  loaves  to  show  ? 

"  The  press  is  great,"  he  might  have  said ; 
"  For  food  the  thronging  people  call ; 
/  only  have  five  loaves  of  bread, 
And  what  were  they  among  them  all?" 

And  back  the  mother's  word  might  come, 
Her  coaxing  hand  upon  his  hair : 
''  Yet  go,  for  they  may  comfort  some 
Among  the  hungry  children  there." 

So  t«  the  lakeside  forth  he  went, 
Bearing  the  scant  supply  he  had  ; 

And  Jesus,  with  an  eye  intent 
Through  all  the  crowds,  beheld  the  lad, 

And  saw  the  loaves,  and  blessed  them.     Then 
Beneath  his  hand  the  marvel  grew : 

He  brake,  and  blessed,  and  brake  again  ; 
The  loaves  were  neither  small  nor  few; 

For,  as  we  know,  it  came  to  pass 
That  hungi-y  thousands  there  were  fed. 

While  sitting  on  the  fresh,  green  grass. 
From  that  one  basketful  of  bread. 


174  MISSIONARY    EXKHCISKS. 

If  from  his  home  the  hid  that  day 
His  five  small  loaves  had  failed  to  take, 

Would  Christ  have  wrought — can  any  say  ?- 
That  miracle  beside  the  lake  ? 


IN  EARTHEN  VESSELS. 

The  Master  stood  in  his  garden 

Among  the  lilies  fair, 
Which  his  own  right  hand  had  planted 

And  trained  with  tenderest  care. 

He  looked  at  their  snowy  blossoms, 
And  marked  with  observant  eye 

That  his  flowers  were  sadly  drooping, 
For  their  leaves  were  parched  and  dry. 

"  My  lilies  need  to  be  watered," 

The  heavenly  Master  said  ; 
"Wherein  shall  I  draw  it  for  them, 

And  raise  each  drooping  head  ?'* 

Close  to  his  feet  on  the  pathway, 

Empty  and  frail  and  small, 
An  earthen  vessel  was  lying 

That  seemed  of  no  use  at  all. 

But  the  Master  saw,  and  raised  it 
From  the  dust  iu  tvliich  it  lay, 

And  smiled  as  he  gently  whispered, 
"  This  shall  do  my  work  to-day. 

"  It  is  but  an  earthen  vessel, 
But  it  lay  .so  close  to  me; 
It  is  small,  but  it  is  empty  ; 
That  is  all  it  needs  to  be." 

So  to  tlie  fountain  he  took  it, 

AncJ  filled  it  Cull  to  liir  brim; 


POEMiS    FOK    KEOITATION    OK  SINGING.  175 

How  glad  was  the  earthen  vessel 
To  be  of  use  to  him  ! 

He  poured  forth  the  living  wa  er 

O'er  his  lilies  fair, 
Until  the  vessfel  was  empty, 

And  again  he  filled  it  there. 

He  watered  the  drooping  lilies 

Until  they  revived  again  ; 
And  the  Master  saw  with  pleasure 

That  his  labor  had  not  been  in  vain. 

His  own  hand  had  drawn  the  water 
Which  refreshed  the  thirsty  flowers, 

But  he  used  the  earthen  vessel 
To  convey  the  living  showers. 

And  to  itself  it  whispered, 
As  he  laid  it  aside  once  more, 
"  Still  will  I  be  in  his  pathway 
Just  where  I  was  before. 

"  Close  would  I  keep  to  the  Master, 
Empty  would  I  remain  ; 
And  some  day  he  will  use  me 
To  water  his  lilies  again." — Selected. 


A  MITE  SONG. 

Only  a  drop  in  the  bucket, 
But  every  drop  will  tell ; 

The  bucket  would  soon  be  empty 
Without  the  drops  in  the  well. 

Only  a  poor  little  penny  ; 

It  was  all  I  had  to  give ; 
But  as  pennies  make  the  dollars. 

It  may  help  some  cause  to  live. 


176  MISSIONARY    P:XER018ES. 

God  loveth  the  cheerful  giver, 

Though  the  gift  be  poor  and  small ; 

What  doth  he  think  of  his  children 
When  they  never  give  at  all  ? 


THE  TWO  MITES. 

Such  a  funny  thing  is  told  to  me, 

And  now  I  tell  to  you, 
What  a  child  as  poor  as  poor  can  be 

For  the  missions  tried  to  do. 

The  story  of  the  widow's  mite 

Had  taught  this  lesson  good : 
Each  gift  is  blessed  in  the  dear  Lord  s  sight 

When  we  have  done  what  we  could. 

Next  Sabbath  day  said  the  little  child, 

"  I've  dot  two  mice  for  you." 
'  Two  mice  !"  the  teacher  said,  and  smiled  : 
"  What  with  them  can  I  do  ?" 

"  I've  brought  my  own  two  mice,"  she  said, 
"  My  contybution  these  ; 
You  said,  you  know,  that  with  two  mice 
The  dear  Lord  once  was  pleased." 

Hushed  was  the  rising  merriment; 

The  two  mice  soon  were  sold  ; 
Freely  for  them  the  rich  ones  spent 

Their  silver  and  their  gold. 

Ah  I  how  they  raised  and  raised  the  price, 

All  for  the  mission  store  ! 
So  big  a  price  for  two  small  mice 

Wa.s  never  paid  before. 


roEMS    FOR    KECITATION    OK   SINGING.  177 

Thus,  !-ure  enough,  the  gift  was  blessed, 

The  giver's  heart  made  glad ; 
And  so  grew  "  more  than  all  the  rest  " 

That  poor  child's  "  all  she  had." 


THE  LITTLE  WORKERS. 

By  Maria  A.  West. 

Little  builders  all  are  we, 
Builders  for  eternity  ; 
Children  of  the  Mission-Bauds, 
Working  with  our  hearts  and  hands, 
Building  temples  for  our  King 
By  the  offerings  we  bring : 
Living  temples  he  doth  raise, 
Filled  with  life  and  light  and  praise. 

One  by  one  the  stones  we  lay. 
Building  slowly  day  by  day ; 
Building  by  our  love  are  we 
In  the  lands  beyond  the  sea ; 
Building  by  each  thought  and  prayer 
For  the  souls  that  suffer  there ; 
Building  in  the  Hindu  land. 
Where  the  idols  are  as  sand  ; 

Building  in  vast  China,  too — 
Living  temples  rise  to  view  ; 
Building  in  Japan  as  well — 
Ah,  what  stories  we  could  tell ! 
Building  on  dark  Afric's  shore. 
That  there  may  be  slaves  no  more ; 
Building  in  the  Turk's  doomed  land 
For  Armenia's  scattered  band. 

On  Mount  Lebanon's  fair  heights 
By  our  many  gathered  mites; 


12 


178  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

Where  the  Nile's  sweet  waters  pour, 
Building  all  the  wide  world  o'er ; 
And  one  day  our  eyes  shall  see, 
In  a  glad  eternity, 
"  Living  stones  "  we  helped  to  bring 
For  the  palace  of  our  King. 


THE  GLEANERS. 

We  are  a  little  gleaning  band; 

We  cannot  bind  the  sheaves. 
But  we  can  follow  those  who  reap, 

And  gather  what  each  leaves. 
We  are  not  strong,  but  Jesus  loves 

The  weakest  of  the  fold, 
And  in  our  feeble  efforts  proves 

His  tenderness  untold. 

We  are  not  rich  ;  but  we  can  give, 

As  we  are  passing  on, 
A  cup  of  water  in  his  name 

To  some  poor,  fainting  one. 
We  are  not  wise,  but  Christ  our  Lord 

Eevealed  to  babes  his  will, 
And  we  are  sure  from  his  dear  word 

He  loves  the  children  still. 

We  know  that  with  our  gathered  grain 

Briers  and  leaves  we  bring  ; 
Yet  since  we  tried,  he  smiles  the  same, 

And  takes  our  offering. 
Then  let  us  still  hosannas  sing, 

As  Christ  doth  conquering  come, 
Casting  our  treasures  as  he  brings 

The  heathen  nations  home. 


POEMS    FOR    RKOITATION    OR   Sl^GTN(i.  179 

LABORERS  TOGETHER. 

By  Mrs.  S.  D.  Condict. 

"  We  are  laborers  together  with  God." 

Friends  of  God !     Be  up  and  working, 

In  theUghtl 
Plant  the  seeds  of  love  and  duty 

With  your  might. 
God  of  heaven !  aid  and  bless  them 
In  the  right ! 
Give  reward  for  earnest  toil ; 
Give  them  victory  after  spoil ; 
Give  them  hope  to  pierce  the  veil ; 
Give  them  faith  that  cannot  fail  ; 
Give  a  love  that  changes  not ; 
Give  a  zeal  with  knowledge  fraught ; 
Father,  Son  and  Spirit  bless  them 
In  the  right ! 

Friends  of  God !     The  world  is  waiting 

For  the  seed ! 
Lo  I  within  each  dreary  desert 

Great's  the  need ! 
God  of  promise  I  aid  and  bless  them 
While  they  sow  I 
Give  rich  harvest  for  the  toil ; 
Bless  the  seed  and  bless  the  soil  ; 
Pour  thy  sunshine  on  the  ground ; 
Everywhere  may  showers  abound; 
Call  the  laborer ;  give  the  field  ; 
Count  the  sheaves  and  own  the  yield ; 
Father,  Son  and  Spirit  bless  them 
In  the  work  ! 


180  MIss^IOXARY    EXFTIOrSES. 

THE  MISSIONARY  DOLL. 

A  True  Story  for  the  Cliildren. 
By  K.  H.  J. 

"  WuAT  a  very  queer  dolly  !"  I  hear  you  exclaim ; 

"  Pray  how  did  it  come  by  such  an  odd  name? 
And  what  possible  good  could  its  waxen  face  do 
To  Chinese  or  Choctaw,  to  Turk  or  Zulu  ?" 

Well,  I'll  tell  you  the  tale  as  it  came  down  to  us, 
For  this  dolly  had  really  raised  quite  a  fuss ; 
And  when  we  all  heard  how  she  went  on  a  mission, 
We  laughed  and  we  cried  at  this  prettiest  vision. 

A  six-year  old  darling,  with  eyes  full  of  tears, 
Was  losing  a  very  dear  friend,  it  appears  : 
He  would  tell  the  poor  heathen  beyond  the  great  sea 
How  Jesus  our  Saviour  said,  "  Come  unto  me." 

And  Bright-eyes  must  show  him  how  dearly  she  loved ; 

In  some  wonderful  way  her  love  must  be  proved. 
"  Oh,  what  can  I  give  him  ?"  they  all  heard  her  say — 
"  What  beautiful  plaything  to  carry  away  ?" 

She  looked  at  her  treasures  with  serious  thought, 
And  then  she  exclaimed,  as  she  found  what  she  sought, 
"  My  new  Paris  dolly !  with  bright  golden  hair, 
And  eyes  that  will  shut  and  such  fine  clothes  to  wear — 

I'll  just  give  him  that  to  'member  me  by." 

But  the  wise  grown-up  people  said,  "  Oh,  darling,  why  ? 

Why  that  is  your  very  best  dolly,  my  pet  ; 

Don't  give  that  on  which  your  heart  is  so  set." 

What  think  you  she  said,  this  heroic  young  soul 
Who  had  learned  the  deep  secret  of  love's  sweet  control  ? 
"  But  that's  what  I  want  him  to  have,"  she  sobbed  low — 
"  The  beantif'lest  thintr  in  the  world  that  T  know." 


POEMS    FOR    RECITATION   OR   SINGINO.  181 

**  But  then,"  they  insisted,  "  you  surely  forget 
That  gentlemen  don't  play  with  dollies,  dear  pet ! 
Pray  what  would  your  '  dear  Mr.  Dale '  do  with  that — 
A  real  grown-up  man,  who  wears  a  tall  hat?" 

She  pondered  a  moment,  perplexed  and  distressed, 
And  then  her  eyes  brightened  with  gladness  unguessed. 

"  He'll  want  it,"  she  said,  a  sweet  fancy  weaving  ; 

"  HeHl  take  it — 'twill  help  him  to  'muse  the  poor  heathen." 

So  the  love  of  the  darling  had  conquered  at  last, 

And  her  "  dear  Mr.  Dale  "  held  the  "  dear  dolly  "  fast ; 

And  surely  enough  a  wise  prophet  was  she. 

For  it  did  "  'muse  the  heathen  "  far  over  the  sea. 


THE  MISSIONARY  CORN. 

"  Now  I  think,  Katie,"  Ella  said. 
As  they  their  dolls  were  dressing, 

"  That  cur  dear  Band's  the  best  one  made, 
And  sure  'twould  keep  you  guessing 

"  To  know  how  all  the  money  comes 
To  teach  our  heathen  Mary, 
For  truly  never  to  our  homes 
Will  come  a  single  fairy. 

"  Can  you  not  guess  ?    Then  I  must  tell 
About  the  corn  we  planted. 
Six  grains  to  each  one's  portion  fell ; 
You  see,  'twas  what  we  wanted. 

"  Each  planted  hers  where  falls  the  shower 
And  brightest  sunshine  lingers. 
And  watched  the  leaflets  hour  by  hour 
Come  forth  like  tiny  fingers. 


182  MISSIONARY    KXRRCI8E8. 

"  It  took  80  long  for  them  to  grow, 
And  we  in  such  a  hurry, 
But  mamma  said  they'd  upward  go ; 
We  surely  need  not  worry. 

"  At  last  the  summer  days  were  o'er, 
Our  corn  was  ripe  and  golden ; 
We  gathered  it,  a  precious  store 
As  e'er  filled  garner  olden, 

"  We  put  it  all  together  then, 
And  got  its  worth  in  money. 
And  so  our  mite-box  filled  again  ; 
Perhaps  you'll  think  it  funny. 

"  But  now  our  heathen  girl  can  read 
The  sweet  old  Bible  story. 
And  learn  in  paths  of  right  to  tread 
With  Jesus  up  to  glory." 


LILIES  OF  THE  VALLEY. 

By  M.  J.  Agnew. 

A  LILY  of  the  valley ! 

Oh,  may  my  nature  be 
As  pure  and  sweet  and  lovely 

As  that  dear  flower  to  me  ! 

A  lily  in  the  garden 

Of  Jesus  Christ  my  Lord  I 
May  I  obtain  his  pardon, 

And  trust  him  for  his  word  ! 

A  lily  that  will  blossom 

And  give  out  sweet  perfume, 

In  thought  and  word  and  action, 
Like  loveliest  flowers  in  June; 


POEMS    FOK    RECITATION    OR   SINGING.  183 

A  lily  that  will  ever 

Be  humble,  modest,  mild  ; 
A  ready,  willing  worker — 

Yes,  Jesus'  loving  child. 

Ye  lilies  of  the  valley  ! 

From  out  your  sweet,  white  bells 
Ring  music,  then,  to  rally 

The  children  from  the  dells 

To  work  with  you  for  Jesus, 

And  send  the  blessed  news 
That  Jesus  died  to  save  us 

From  all  our  earthly  woes. 


BEAUTIFUL  THINGS. 

Beautiful  faces  are  those  that  wear — 
It  matters  little  if  dark  or  fair — 
Whole-souled  honesty  printed  there. 

Beautiful  eyes  are  those  that  show, 

Like  crystal  panes  where  hearth-fires  glow, 

Beautiful  thoughts  that  burn  below. 

Beautiful  lips  are  those  whose  words 
Leap  from  the  heart  like  songs  of  birds, 
Yet  whose  utterance  prudence  girds. 

Beautiful  hands  are  those  that  do 
Work  that  is  earnest  and  brave  and  true. 
Moment  by  moment,  the  long  day  through. 

Beautiful  feet  are  those  that  go 
On  kindly  ministries  to  and  fro — 
Down  lowliest  ways,  if  Ood  wills  it  so. 


184  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

Beautiful  shoulders  are  those  that  bear 
Ceaseless  burdens  of  homely  care 
With  patient  grace  and  daily  prayer. 

Beautiful  lives  are  those  that  bless — 

Silent  rivers  of  happiness, 

Whose  hidden  fountains  but  few  may  guess. 


SHOW  US   THE  WAY. 

I  HEAR  a  cry  from  over  the  sea ; 
The  idol-worshipers  call  to  me  : 
*'  'God  is  a  spirit,'  we  hear  you  say  ; 

Where  shall  we  find  him  ?    Show  us  the  way." 

I  hear  a  voice  from  the  homes  of  sin 
That  little  children  are  dwelling  in  : 
"  '  He  suffered  the  children  to  come,'  you  say  ; 
Where  shall  we  find  him  ?     Show  us  the  way." 

I  hear  a  voice  from  the  homes  of  want, 
Where  the  poor  are  cold  in  their  raiment  scant: 
"  '  He  clothes  the  grass  of  the  field,'  you  say ; 
Where  shall  we  find  him?     Show  us  the  way." 

O  blind  and  sinful  and  weary  and  poor  ! 
We  will  gladly  show  you  the  open  door ; 
For  the  Son  will  lead  to  the  Father's  face : 
He  has  gone  to  prepare  us  all  a  place ; 
And  if  you  hark  you  shall  hear  him  say, 
"  Come  unto  me,"  for  "I  am  the  way." 


"OH,   LET  ME  RING  THE  BELL." 

A  MISSIONARY  far  away. 
Beyond  the  Southern  Sea, 

Was  sitting  in  his  home  one  day 
With  \V\h\c  on  liis  knee; 


POEMS    FOR    RKCITATION    OR   SINGING.  185 

When  suddenly  he  heard  a  rap 

Upon  the  chamber  door, 
And  opening  there  stood  a  boy 

Of  some  ten  years  or  more. 

He  was  a  bright  and  happy  child, 

With  cheeks  of  ruddy  hue, 
And  eyes  that  'neath  their  lashes  smiled 

And  glittered  like  the  dew. 

He  held  his  little  form  erect 

In  boyish  sturdiness, 
But  on  his  lips  you  could  detect 

Traces  of  gentleness. 

"  Dear  sir,"  he  said,  in  native  tongue, 
"  I  do  so  want  to  know 
If  something  for  the  bouse  of  God 
You'd  kindly  let  me  do." 

"  What  can  you  do,  my  little  boy  ?" 
The  missionary  said ; 
And  as  he  spoke  he  laid  his  hand 
Upon  the  youthful  head. 

Then  bashfully,  as  if  afraid 

His  secret  wish  to  tell, 
The  boy  in  eager  accents  said, 

"  Oh,  let  me  ring  the  bell. 

"  Oh,  please  to  let  me  ring  the  bell 
For  our  dear  house  of  prayer ; 
I'm  sure  I'll  ring  it  loud  and  well, 
And  I'll  be  always  there." 

The  missionary  kindly  looked 

Upon  that  upturned  face, 
Where  hope  and  fear  and  wistfulnesa, 

United,  left  their  trace. 


186  MISSIONARY   EXERCISES. 

And  gladly  did  he  grant  the  boon; 

The  boy  had  pleaded  well ; 
And  to  the  eager  child  he  said, 

"  Yes,  yoii  shall  ring  the  bell." 

Oh,  what  a  proud  and  happy  heart 
He  carried  to  his  home ! 

And  how  impatiently  he  longed 
For  Sabbath  day  to  come  ! 

He  rang  the  bell,  he  went  to  school, 
The  Bible  learned  to  read, 

And  in  his  youthful  heart  they  sowed 
The  gospel's  precious  seed. 

And  now  to  other  heathen  lands 
He's  gone  of  Christ  to  tell ; 

And  yet  his  first  young  mission  was 
To  ring  the  Sabbath  bell. 


RECITATION. 


Who  are  they  whose  little  feet, 
Pacing  life's  dark  journey  through, 

Now  have  reached  that  heavenly  seat 
They  had  ever  kept  in  view? 

Chorus. — There,  to  welcome,  .Tesu:^  waits, 

Gives  the  crown  his  followers  win: 
Lift  up  your  heads,  ye  golden  gates, 
And  let  the  children  in. 

"  1  from  Greenland's  fr<jzen  land," 

"  I  from  India's  sultry  plain," 
"  I  from  Afric's  burning  sand," 

"I  from  islands  of  the  main." 

Clio. — There,  to  welcome,  .Tesus  waits,  etc. 


POEMS   FOR  RECITATION   OR  SINGING  J  87 

"  All  our  earthly  journey  past, 
Every  tear  and  pain  gone  by, 
Here  together  met  at  last, 
At  the  portal  of  the  sky." 

Cho. — There,  to  welcome,  Jesus  waits,  etc. 

Each  the  M'elcorae  "  Come  "  awaits. 

Conquerors  over  death  and  siu  ; 
Lift  up  your  heads,  ye  golden  gates! 

Let  the  little  travelers  in. 

Cho. — There,  to  welcome,  Jesus  waits,  etc. 


A  CALL  FOR  CHILDREN. 

By  J.  LiLLiE  Demaray. 

Hark  to  the  call  that  is  heard  o'er  the  land, 
For  children  to  rise  and  unite  with  the  band 
Of  travelers  marching  in  Jesus'  great  might 
To  carry  to  darkened  homes  God's  precious  light ! 
"  For  children  ?"  you  ask.     Ah  yes,  childi'en,  for  you 
With  sprightly  young  bodies  and  hearts  warm  and  true. 
The  call  is  for  ijou — our  brave  women  and  men 
In  a  few  years  to  come :  will  you  be  ready  then  ? 

Prepare  yourselves  now  to  go  eastward  and  west 
Where  dear  fathers  have  worked  and  are  now  at  their  rest. 
The  strongest  are  wanted,  the  brightest,  the  best ; 
Deny  not  these  callers  their  thrilling  request. 
But  study  and  work  for  the  time  yet  to  come. 
Then  carry  to  heathen  the  light  of  your  home. 
How  precious  that  message  will  be,  and  h^w  bright 
To  souls  who  have  never  yet  known  God's  light ! 

Each  every-day  duty  perform  with  your  might ; 

In  difficult  studies  ne'er  give  up  the  fight, 

Till  with  God's  love  your  heart,  and  with  knowledge  your 

mind, 
Is  filled  ;  and  to  him  your  whole  life-work  reaigned, 


188  MISSION AKY    EXERCISES. 

How  many  the  youth  wlio  now  thouglitfuUy  stand 
And  ponder  their  calling  in  this  our  home-land! 
Do  you  find  any  better,  another  more  grand, 
Than  the  saving  of  souls  in  that  far-away  land? 


REPORT  OF  CHILDREN'S  MISSION-BAND,   NEW 
BOSTON,  N.  H. 

[With  some  very  sliglit  alterations  to  suit  localities,  individuals 
and  circumstances,  this  spirited  report  will  serve  admirably  for 
Children's  Bands  elsewhere.] 

Grandmother  Brown  and  Grandmother  Gray 
Met  in  the  cottage  just  over  the  way 
This  afternoon  for  a  social  tea. 
Grandmother  Brown  is  rheumatic,  you  see, 
And  she  dearly  loves  to  have  Grandma  Gray 
Come  in  and  chat  with  her  any  day. 
And  to-day,  as  they  cosily  sat 
Knitting  and  talking  of  this  and  that, 
Grandma  Gray  said,  "  I  must  early  go. 
Because  of  the  Children's  Fair,  you  know." 

"The  Children's  Fair?"  said  Grandmother  Brown 
As  she  laid  her  gold-rimmed  glasses  down  : 

"  What  is  it  ?     Do  tell !     I  want  to  know 
Where  other  people  are  glad  to  go. 
You  know  it  is  now  almost  a  year 
Since  pain  has  kept  me  a  prisoner  here." 

"  Has  no  one  told  you  ?"  said  Grandma  Gray: 
"  It  is  strange  that  I  have  not,  any  way. 

Since  the  Band  was  organized  last  May. 

To  the  parsonage  the  children  went. 

Some  of  the  ladies  their  presence  lent ; 

They  organized  as  their  elders  do. 

Adopted  a  constitution  too ; 

Perhaps  I  can  tell  it  over  to  you. 


POEMS    FOR    RECITATION    OR   SINGING.  189 

First,  'The  Ruthians'  should  be  their  name, 

And,  second,  it  should  be  their  aim 

To  learn  of  missions  at  home  and  abroad, 

And  to  glean  for  them  along  life's  road  ; 

Thirdly,  their  officers  should  be 

A  president,  vice-,  and  secretary. 

With  a  treasurer  to  hold  the  purse 

And  all  the  funds  receive  and  disburse ; 

Fourthly,  any  under  eighteen  could  be 

Members  by  paying  five  cents;  and  we 

Elders  could  be  members  honorary 

By  paying  fifteen  cents  annually. 

Eight  became  members  that  afternoon. 

And  others  were  added  very  soon ; 

So  now  they  have  eighteen  or  so — 

Good  number  for  this  small  place,  you  know. 

Once  in  two  weeks  they've  met  together. 

And  some  have  come,  whate'er  the  weather. 

Five  the  least  number  on  any  day, 

And  thirteen  the  largest,  so  they  say." 

"  Well,  well !  I  declare!"  said  Graudma  Brown  ; 
"  There  are  some  wide-awake  folks  in  town. 

What  did  they  do  at  their  meetings,  pray  ?" 
"  Oh,  as  to  that,"  said  Grandmother  Gray, 
"  They  had  Bible-reading,  singing,  prayer. 

Talked  over  the  missions  here  and  there, 

And  sewed  on  a  quilt  that  is  novel  quite ; 

It  is  going  to  be  sold  at  the  fair  to-night. 

The  little  girls  are  going  to  sing — 

Their  voices  will  make  the  town-hall  ring ; 

Some  poems  also  they  will  recite : 

We  really  expect  a  treat  to-night." 

**  A  treat,  indeed !"  said  Grandma  Brown  ; 

"  I  wish  I  were  able  to  go  down. 
Here,  take  this  dollar  and  spend  for  me — 
I  know  what  they're  working  for,  you  see  ; 


190  MISSIONARY    EXERCISES. 

I  hope  the  purses  will  open  all, 
And  a  rich  amount  in  the  treasury  fall. 
Come  in  and  tell  me  about  it,  please. 
To-morrow,  when  we  can  talk  with  ease." 

So,  early  next  morning  Grandmother  Gray, 
As  soon  as  breakfast  was  out  of  the  way. 
Without  waiting  to  rest  or  sit  down, 
Ean  over  to  tell  dear  Grandma  Brown 
About  the  "  Fair,"  and  its  grand  success. 
"  Good-morning,"  she  said  ;  "  you'd  never  guess 
What  a  real  nice  time  we  had  last  night. 
Every  one  seemed  to  feel  just  right; 
The  hall  was  trimmed  very  nicely  too  ; 
The  *  Magic  Quilt '  was  hung  in  full  view  ; 
The  fancy-table  was  brimming  o'er. 
Attracting  purchasers  by  the  score ; 
The  supper  was  nice  and  daintily  spread, 
From  delicious  tarts  to  snow-white  bread  ; 
Then  the  children  dear,  their  songs  and  fun 
And  recitations  were  finely  done; 
Our  chorister's  singing  added  zest, 
And  was,  as  usual,  just  the  best ; 
Our  pastor  had  written  a  poem  too  ; 
I  hope  he  will  come  and  read  it  to  you. 
Mr.  Allen  spoke ;  and  in  fact,  my  friend, 
It  was  a  success  from  beginning  to  end. 
For  we  made  full  seventy  dollars,  you  see ; 
The  children's  share  over  thirty  will  be. 
I  wish  I  could  stay  and  longer  chat, 
But  duties  at  home  will  not  allow  that. 
One  thing,  I  am  sure,  is  plain  to  be  seen, 
That  those  who  try  for  the  Master  to  glean 
Will  find  the  handfuh  so  easy  to  win 
That  many  a  sheaf  may  be  gathered  in." 

— Good  Time*, 


POEMS   FOR   RECITATKJN   OR  SINGING.  191 

COLLECTION  HYMN. 

By  Mks.  E.  B.  Day. 

To  be  sung  brj  Six  Little  Oirls, 

We  come  to  ask  our  Father  now 

That  eyes  be  made  to  see, 
And  hearts  to  burn,  and  lips  to  say 

"  What  can  I  give  to  thee?" 

Chorus  (whole  Band). — 

We  are  a  Foreign-Mission  Band, 

With  hearts  right  brave  to  do  ; 
We'll  give  to  Jesus  all  we  can, 

And  prove  our  love  is  true. 

We  know  we're  little,  and  our  store 

Of  pennies  is  but  small ; 
But  then  we  want  to  give  e'en  these 

To  God,  "  who  giveth  all."     Chonis. 

Yet  older  folks  can  give  thee  more. 

Because  they've  more  to  give : 
This  night  oh  help  them  from  their  store 

What  is  thine  own  to  give.     Chortia. 

Collection.     Members  of  the  Band  repeat  appropriate  texts 
of  Scripture,  after  which  the  singers  sing  softly — 

Dear  Jesus,  may  what  has  been  given 

Find  some  sweet  work  to  do — 
Show  some  poor  soul  the  way  to  heaven, 

And  help  us  find  it  too. 


OUR  GREAT  COMMISSION. 

Our  world,  our  world  for  Jesus  ! 

Once  more  in  loving  strains 
We  wake  the  joyful  echoes 

That  rang  o'er  Judah's  plains. 


Hark  !  we  have  glorious  tidings, 

And  Jesus  bids  us  go  ; 
His  message  of  salvation 

The  waiting  earth  must  know. 

Hark  !  what  a  cry  floats  westward 

From  many  an  Indian  home  ! 
Come  hasten  to  our  rescue, 

To  dying  sinners  come. 
Not  for  the  gold  that  glitters 

In  mountain-cave  or  mine ; 
Not  for  the  bounteous  treasure 

Of  leafy  wood  or  vine ; 

But  come  where  souls  are  thirsting 

While  water  floweth  free ; 
Where  bruised  hearts  know  no  Healer, 

No  sweet-voiced  "  Come  to  me." 
Have  we  not  passed  unheeded 

Their  bitter  tears  and  moans, 
The  wanderer's  cry  for  pardon, 

The  prisoner's  dying  groans  ? 

Haste  with  the  blessed  message 

Which  drew  our  souls  to  God. 
The  love  which  Jesus  gave  us 

Must  we  not  speed  abroad. 
Till  all  the  world  he  ransomed 

Shall  hear  of  sin  forgiven, 
And  find  the  way  Christ  opened 

Which  leads  to  peace  and  heaven  ? 

(Tune,  "  Miriam,"  Presbyterian  Hymnal,  No.  690.) 


THE   END. 


3190TD,,  291J 

05-2G-05  32188     MS  W 


mmmm  ^^257  4895 


DATE  DUE 

GAYLORD  #3523PI        Printed  in  USA 


